GRAPHIC IMAGES WARNING: ‘Horrendous’ dog attack that killed puppy spurs St Helens Dad to get justice

Due to the recent hot weather, Phillip Webster set out for his usual dog walk at around 9.45pm on Tuesday evening with his two Jack Russells – eight-month Freddie and eighteen-month Bertie – both on leads.

He informed his wife and 11-year-old son, Harry, that he would be back home in 20 minutes.

Freddie was described as an "absolutely fantastic" dog

However, disaster struck almost instantly when two large dogs attacked Freddie as Phillip was leaving his property on Dunmail Avenue, Carr Mill.

Phillip said: “As I’m coming out my gate […] I could just hear this commotion and I said pack it in you two.

“Then I just turned the corner, and these two great big dogs came out of nowhere.

“Within seconds - I didn’t have time to react - my little dog who died was pinned against the wall. He didn’t stand a chance.”

The dogs were described as a large black and a sandy brown bullmastiff, which were both not on a lead on the residential street.

As he desperately tried to free his puppy from the grasp of the black bullmastiff, Phillip explained: “I was in hysterics. I was shouting and screaming saying please help me.”

“I was getting all tangled up and wrapped around with the lead and I was [fighting with] this dog and screaming.

“At first there was no one to be seen. Then this other brown dog came towards us, snarling its teeth, and I think it was looking for my other dog” – which was luckily able to hide under a car and save himself from similarly being attacked.

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Some of the injuries inflicted on Freddie in the attack

Eventually, after “what seemed like forever”, the owners of the bullmastiffs – two women and one man – came around the corner and was able to get them off Freddie and away from the situation.

Covered in blood and with scratches all down his arms, Phillip immediately went to the emergency vets with a neighbour, yet unfortunately, Freddie passed away in the car on the way there.

Suffering three fatal puncture wounds, the vet explained that there was nothing that could have prevented Freddie’s death due to the severity of the attack.

Explaining the heartbreak this has caused the family, Phillip said: “It’s just horrendous. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody.”

“We hadn’t had him that long either. It’s just totally ripped us apart basically.”

Even Bertie - the family’s second terrier - has not been himself around the house, and hasn’t been sleeping or eating properly.

Phillip said: “[Freddie] was absolutely fantastic. He was the life and soul [of the house], a proper little character. Everybody would say how lovely he is.”

“Although we still have our other dog, there’s still this big empty space. I’m used to the two of them running around.”

Harry with his Jack Russell terriers, Bertie and Freddie

Despite the intense suffering this event has caused him, Phillip said he is now determined to make sure Freddie’s death was not in vain.

Through raising awareness on social media and creating a petition, he hopes to pressure the government to enact stricter laws and punishments for people owning dangerous dogs.

At present, the Dangerous Dog Act (1991) makes it illegal for a dog to be “out of control” or to bite or attack someone.

This includes incidents both on private and public property, with owners receiving a fine or sent to prison for up to six months if their dog is dangerously out of control – as well as being unable to own a dog in the future in some circumstances.

If a dog is allowed to seriously injure or kill a person, an owner can be sent to prison for a period ranging from five to 14 years.

However, it is not an offence if a dog attacks another dog - unless this is an assistance dog (such as a guide dog).

Unhappy with the leniency of the laws surrounding attacks on other animals, Phillip said: “I think they really need to re-look at the Dangerous Dog Act, and the way people and dogs are dealt with. I think something needs to be done with that.”

Bertie and Freddie at home

“I’d like to see people pay for what they’ve done. Other people say it’s not their fault, it’s the dog’s fault, but at the end of the day they’re still in charge of a dangerous animal.”

After witnessing Freddie’s brutal death, Phillip explains his intention to push this issue forward.

“If the [owners] would have come to help me or offer an apology, I would suggest some leniency.

“But the fact that they just blatantly didn’t help me and ran off has made more determined than ever to try and get something done and change the laws for people that have these animals.”

“I’m not going to stop. I’m going to carry on and get justice for Freddie.”

Even if his attempts to change the law prove unsuccessful, Phillip takes comfort in the fact that he is raising awareness of this issue and warn others of the real dangers of dangerous dogs.

Through his post on social media, he has already gone someway in achieving this - receiving “thousands of messages” of support and condolences.

Highlighting the emotion and concern this has sparked in the community, Philip explained: “I think if you have actually had a dog, you realise how much a part of family they really are.”

Freddie was only eight-months-old

In the hope to bring some form of justice to the Webster family, Merseyside Police are investigating the incident, which took place in the Car Mill area, near Kentmere Park.

A spokesperson said: “The investigation is at an early stage but officers are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry and would urge anyone who has any information about this incident to come forward.

Inspector Alyson Keenan said: “This was an appalling incident leaving a man injured and his dog sadly dead. I want to make it clear that we will not tolerate irresponsible dog ownership.

“It is a criminal offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place and dog owners have a responsibility to ensure their dog does is on a lead and under control.

“I would also ask anyone with information about this incident or dangerous dogs in their area to contact us so that we can take action."

If you witnessed the incident or have any information, please contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police Contact Centre.

You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 21000524632 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.