Police are appealing for witnesses after a Suffolk family was left 'devastated' and 'empty' after their one-year-old dog was attacked on a walk and later died.
Rosie Cornelius, 26, of Haverhill, said her English Bulldog cross Teddy was taken for a walk at around 9.30pm on Sunday, May 12, in the Puddle Brook Playing Field area when it was attacked by a large dog that was not wearing a lead or collar.
The attack left Teddy panting and stressed and the following day when his condition did not improve they took him to the vets where he died.
Ms Cornelius described Teddy as "the soppiest dog around" and "the most loving dog that craved love and attention constantly".
"He was 35kg of pure love, an actual teddy bear hence his name," she said.
She said, according to those who were walking Teddy, that the three people with the large dog, described as a black or grey Cane Corso, were laughing during the attack and appeared to be 'intoxicated'.
"Teddy, being the big softy he was laid down with his paws over his head in fear whilst his walkers tried to get the dog away from him," she said.
"Teddy was a heavy boy so they weren't able to lift him off the floor.
"Whilst all this was happening the owners and friends laughed as Teddy was being attacked until his walker begged for help and they proceeded to rip the dog off Teddy."
She said the walkers rushed home with Teddy and they called the police.
"When we woke up the next day he was still very panty so we spent the day doing all the things that would normally calm him," she said.
"His breathing eventually turned funny and we got him to the vets as quick as we could.
"Whilst there they said that Teddy had put so much stress on himself and his heart and that his heart stopped and there was nothing else they could do for him."
Ms Cornelius said the family is "devastated beyond belief".
"We have all been left feeling empty. He was very much part of a big family unit and he done everything with us," she said.
"We’re also so angry that such reckless ownership of a dog has left us without our baby boy.
"Teddy had so much life left in him, so bouncy and bubbly with such a great personality. He was so loved and we’re all lost without him."
A Suffolk Police spokesperson said: "We were called shortly after 10pm on May 12. Incident reported to have taken place at around 10pm on Puddlebrook Playing Fields."
They said any witnesses or anyone with any information should contact police quoting crime reference number 37/26935/24.
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