Dog walker injured as pet is fatally attacked

A woman in her 70s may have broken her ribs after being knocked to the ground in a dog attack in Derby.

Pat Sinclair, 77, was walking her eight-year-old rescue shih tzu Lola on Wednesday when she spotted three larger dogs on the lead nearby.

She crossed the road to avoid the unmuzzled trio, said her family, but two broke loose and rushed at her and her pet in Chalkley Close, Alvaston, knocking her to the ground.

Lola was attacked by one of the dogs, suffering serious injuries, which meant she had to be euthanised by a vet, according to Derbyshire Police.

Ms Sinclair received a blow to her head and lost consciousness, her family said, as well as suffering suspected broken ribs, and was taken to Royal Derby Infirmary, where she was awaiting tests on her rib injury.

Police said two dogs have been seized “due to concerns around safety” and are being kept in kennels.

An assessment will take place to determine if one of the dogs involved was an XL bully, which is a banned breed in the UK, added the force.

Ms Sinclair’s son-in-law Stephen Bruce said: “Pat says Lola is the reason she gets up in the morning.

“Pat was screaming after she was knocked to the ground, but by then Lola wasn’t moving. Lola had to be put down, she was in a terrible state.

“Pat was taken to A&E, and we’re now waiting to see a doctor about her ribs.

“She is just worried children are going to get attacked by out of control dogs on the estate. It needs to stop.”

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.