A SOUTH Wirral man has been arrested following a spate of vicious dog attacks in Neston which have left family pets with severe and sometimes life-threatening injuries.

Police have been investigating the incidents which have occurred over the past few weeks, together with one that happened last year.

Most have involved other dogs being attacked by a dog from the local area but a number of owners have also been bitten as they attempted to rescue their pets.

Tina Davies, whose dog Frank was left with severe injuries following an attack on the Wirral Way earlier this month, said: “Frank was on his lead and a black dog off its lead came towards us with its owner some 150 yards behind.

“He came across and sniffed and circled Frank, who started to get agitated and growled at the dog.

“It immediately jumped on Frank’s back and was biting and ragging him until his owner came over and got him off.”

Up to now, Tina has spent £900 on veterinary treatment for eight-year-old Frank, a Jack Springer cross.

Wirral Globe:
Frank is now recovering well after a number of operations.

But she is not alone and has since been in touch with other dog owners who too have seen their pets viciously attacked.

Warning posters had been placed around Neston, urging fellow dog owners to be careful.

“One of the dogs had to be put down,” said Tina.

“What if it was a child or an elderly person?”

A 49-year-old man from Neston was arrested on Monday evening and taken to Blacon Custody Suite for questioning.

While the man has since been released on bail pending further enquiries, his dog has been seized and is now residing in secure kennels pending the final outcome of the investigation.

Despite undergoing a number of operations, Frank is now on the mend.

On hearing the news of an arrest, Tina said she felt “reassured” but also sorry for the dog which, had it been kept on a lead and muzzled, would not have attacked.

She added: “At least I can walk Frank back on our old route feeling safe.”

Wirral Globe:
Eight-year-old Frank was left with severe injuries following the attack earlier this month.

Neston neighbourhood Sergeant Daniel Greenhalgh, who is leading the investigation, told the Globe: “The reports to police involved a number of dogs receiving some quite nasty injuries, with a couple of owners also being bit during the incidents.

“Ensuring that all dogs are under proper control of their owners/person in charge at the time would prevent such incidents happening.

“Any dogs that show signs of aggression to other dogs or people, I would advise the owners to keep them on a lead and consider a muzzle.

“This would prevent owners of such animals committing offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act.”