Kilmarnock dog owner warns over dangerous pitbull

Jul 3 2009 by Stef Lach, Kilmarnock Standard

A DOG owner this week warned others about a ferocious pitbull terrier he came across in a Kilmarnock park.

Tom Kiltie reckons it can only be a matter of time before the fierce pitbull turns on a dog or a small child – after it savaged his own Jack Russell terrier.

Tom was walking seven-year-old Taz in a Kilmarnock park last week when the wild dog charged towards them.

The pitbull was not on a leash so Tom had to act quickly to lift little Taz away from danger.

But the pitbull, whose owner was just yards away, tore at Taz and left him needing stitches to the nasty wounds.

Tom, 48, was also left with facial injuries after the terrifying ordeal.

He said: “I’d just got into the park just before 10pm when the pitbull spotted us and ran at us full pelt.

“I picked Taz up and held him high over my head but the pitbull kept jumping up and biting, even though I was desperately trying to kick it off.

“I’ve never seen a dog so vicious in my life. I was kicking it with some force and it wasn’t for giving up. The owner ambled over and eventually put a lead on the dog. I was so angry but I knew I had to get Taz some help because he was bleeding badly.

“I’m thankful it was me that was walking Taz that night and not my wife because I don’t think she’d have been able to keep the pitbull away. I don’t even want to think about what might have happened if it was a young child or an older person who was out walking their dog.”

Tom’s wife Jacquie believes the dangerous pitbull should be put down before it causes a more serious injury or worse.

She said: “Taz has a three-inch gouge in his leg down to the muscle and a nasty cut between his legs.

“Tom had his eye, lip and nose cut in the attack. They were both covered in blood.

“A child could easily be killed by this dog.”