Dog lover's nightmare. (From Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News)

Dog lover's nightmare.

11:30am Wednesday 30th August 2006

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A DOG lover is facing life without his best friend after he and his beloved pet were attacked by two greyhounds on the way to Burnham beach.

John Saunders's Yorkshire terrier Ginny was so seriously injured in the attack last week it had to be put down on Saturday afternoon.

"The bills are just going to mount up and mount up."

Dog owner John Saunders.

Now the pensioner says he and his wife Eva are going to struggle to make ends meet after being hit with the staggering cost of vets bills for the treatment, which was given to try and save the seven-year-old rescue dog's life.

"We were going to go on the beach and Ginny was on a short lead and she got attacked by these two greyhounds," the 66-year-old said.

"The owner just stood back and didn't help me at all. Ginny was in the mouth of one of the dogs and I had to open it with my hands to get her out. I had her in my arms and the other dog attacked me. I feel terrible about what's happened. I think the vets are saying it's going to cost over £2,000."

John said he and his wife only had income from their pensions and a small part-time job he currently worked.

"The bills are just going to mount up and mount up," he said.

"We have been told by the vets we can pay £50 a week and we can just about do it - but it's going to be hard.

"We just want other people to be aware of what can happen to their dogs."

Avon and Somerset Police spokesman Ian Drury said it was an unusual case, but officers were investigating.

He said: "We received a report that a dog walker was walking down towards the beach via Maddocks Slade slipway when he was met by a man walking two dogs. It has been alleged that one of the two dogs attacked the victim's dog, causing very severe injuries.

"Also during the incident the victim received a bite from one of the dogs. We can confirm we are investigating the incident."

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