City councillor’s dog to be killed after attack on cocker spaniel

A city councillor has apologised after one of her dogs attacked and injured a cocker spaniel, which was later put down.

A security camera captured two Shar-Pei dogs running towards Annette Edson as she and her two Cocker Spaniels entered a park in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

The Shar-Pei dogs belonged to Bassetlaw councillor Maria Charlesworth, who said she would have one of the dogs put down.

The spaniel’s owners said the attack was “horrific” to watch and “devastating.”

Ms Charlesworth, councillor for Bassetlaw District Council, said in a statement: “As an animal lover and dog owner, I am absolutely devastated by what has happened.

“I can only imagine the pain the owners must be going through and I am so sorry that they had to say such a painful goodbye to their beloved pet.”

The attack occurred on May 6 in a park near Ms Edson’s home in Worksop.

Ms Edson said both dogs made contact with her 14-year-old dog Abbey before one backed away.

However, this is denied by Mrs Charlesworth, who claims that only one of her dogs attacked Abbey.

Mrs Edson said: “The dog had bitten down between her legs.”

“It was horrible. She was screaming and screaming. And she was just laying there, she couldn’t do anything, she couldn’t get up, she couldn’t move, she couldn’t do anything.”

Mrs. Edson was bitten on the finger by the Shar Pei when she tried to separate the two dogs.

The surveillance camera footage shows Mrs Charlesworth also trying to separate the dogs. Shortly afterwards, her husband David Charlesworth arrives.

The dogs are separated and Mrs. Edson is seen leaving the park with her two dogs.

Abbey was taken to the vet and Ms Edson said she was initially told her pet would need surgery.

However, she said that at the time she was advised to have Abbey put down.

Her husband Colin Edson said: “They said her injuries were severe enough that they could have treated her, but at her age she would have struggled and been in pain.”

Ms Edson said: “We had no choice. We had to do the right thing, we couldn’t let them suffer.”

The couple reported the attack to the police, who spoke to Ms Charlesworth, who then agreed to the killing of one of her dogs.

Mrs Charlesworth has also said she will muzzle her other dog.

“I paid the owners’ vet bills and also wrote an apology letter expressing how sorry I am that this happened,” she said.

Ms Edson said her other dog, Alley, was traumatized by what happened.

“Alley must have seen everything,” said Mrs. Edson.

“She doesn’t like bigger dogs anymore. She’s afraid of bigger dogs, she’s afraid of her own shadow.”

Ms Edson added: “She doesn’t eat, she doesn’t like going for walks, she would rather stay in the house now. It’s had a big impact on her.”

“We went to Bridlington for a couple of days over the weekend and she was scared, she was shaking, she was terrified.”

Derbyshire Police said in a statement: “We were called to a report of a dog attack in Worksop at 9.27am on Monday 6 May. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.”

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