Woman describes 'vicious' dog attack at Derry-Londonderry play park

By Leona O'Neill

A pensioner has spoken of her terror after two 'vicious' dogs mauled her family Shitzuu while they walked through a children’s play park in Derry-Londonderry.

Marie Doherty from the Creggan Estate, was walking her four-year-old dog Ozzy in Iniscarn Park last night before the attack.

Staffordshire bull terrier type dogs were also in the park but the owner told Marie they were friendly, and the dogs began to play.

The 63-year-old said the animals quickly turned on Ozzy and began to attack him repeatedly. Marie began to attempt to beat the dogs off with sticks, while screaming for help.

ABOVE: Blood stained the pathway where the attack took place

Young children playing in the adjacent park were locked into a fenced area for their own safety as the dogs mauled Ozzy within their sight.

Armed police arrived and dealt with the vicious dogs while Ozzy was rushed to a local vets.

The Dog Warden from Derry City and Strabane District Council was also called to the scene, and it's understood an investigation is ongoing. 

Ozzy had lost a leg and a lot of blood when he was scooped up by Marie's son and taken to safety, but she was unclear if he would survive the night. 

Pensioner Marie Doherty, four-year-old Ozzy’s heartbroken owner, talks to me about the horrific ordeal she endured when two vicious dogs mauled him in their local children’s park pic.twitter.com/fSzLA8QRDL

— Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) July 26, 2018