Family ‘devastated’ and ’empty’ as dog dies day after attack

Police are appealing for witnesses after a Suffolk family was left “devastated” and “empty” after their year-old dog was attacked on a walk and later died.

Rosie Cornelius, 26, of Haverhill, said her English bulldog mix, Teddy, was walking in the Puddle Brook Playing Field area around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 12, when he was attacked by a large dog did not wear a leash or collar.

The attack left Teddy gasping and stressed, and when his condition didn’t improve the next day, they took him to the vet, where he died.

Teddy, the English Bulldog crossbreed (Image: Rosie Cornelius)

Mrs Cornelius described Teddy as “the sloppiest dog in the world” and “the most loving dog who constantly craved love and attention.”

“He was 35kg of pure love, a real teddy bear, hence his name,” she said.

She said, according to those walking with Teddy, that the three people with the large dog, described as a black or gray Cane Corso, were laughing and appeared to be “drunk” during the attack.

Teddy with Rosie (Image: Rosie Cornelius)

“Teddy, the big wimp, was laid on the ground with his paws over his head in fear while his walkers tried to pull the dog away from him,” she said.

“Teddy was a heavy boy, so they couldn’t lift him off the ground.

“While all this was going on, the owners and friends laughed as Teddy was attacked until his walker begged for help and they began tearing the dog away from Teddy.”

The attack was reported to Suffolk Police (Image: Rosie Cornelius)

She said the walkers rushed home with Teddy and called the police.

“When we woke up the next day he was still very slippery, so we spent the day doing all the things that would normally calm him down,” she said.

“His breathing eventually became strange and we took him to the vet as quickly as we could.”

“While they were there, they said that Teddy had put so much strain on himself and his heart and that his heart had stopped and that there was nothing else they could do for him.”

Ms Cornelius said the family was “devastated beyond belief”.

Teddy is walking on the beach (Image: Rosie Cornelius)

“We all felt empty. He was part of a big family and did everything with us,” she said.

“We are also so angry that we lost our little boy due to such inconsiderate dog ownership.

“Teddy still had so much life in him, so lively and lively with such a great personality. He was so loved and without him we are all lost.”

A Suffolk Police spokesman said: “We were called just after 10pm on May 12th. The incident reportedly occurred at Puddlebrook Playing Fields at around 10pm.”

They said any witnesses or anyone with information should contact police quoting crime reference number 37/26935/24.