Appeal to find owners after attack on beach

Injured Poppy on her return from the vets after the attack.

The owner, who did not want to be named, was walking his dogs at Link House Farm Beach, near Newton-by-the-Sea, last Thursday morning, when the incident happened.

He said: “Two Bernese mountain dogs ran off from a man and woman to come and attack my two small terriers.

“I was initially alerted by hearing the owners shouting at their dogs to come back. At this point, they were all at least 200 to 300 yards away.

“My dogs were close by my side, but as a caution I decided to put them on their leads.

“The Bernese dogs attacked both of my dogs. I had to try to wrestle these dogs off. The male owner eventually arrived and finally got his dogs on leads, and I think he got bitten in the process.

“I asked the owners for a phone number as I would be expecting a vet’s bill and would expect them to pay this.

“They gave me a number which I started to call, but they said I wouldn’t hear it ring as they didn’t have their phones with them. When I rang, it said not recognised number, which I told them.

“I next asked where they lived. They said they were called Welsh, were from Preston and were on holiday.

“I asked where they were staying and they said The Crown Pub, just before the A1, which I told them didn’t exist. They refused my request to see some form of ID saying they didn’t have any with them.

“I followed them to Link House car park as the man said he wanted to go back to his car.

“I asked them which was their car and I photographed the number plate. They refused my request to open the car to confirm it was theirs. I left at that point as I wanted to get my dogs to the vet’s.

“Five minutes later, they passed me in a different vehicle to the one they said was theirs. They were driving a huge black pick-up – I’m pretty sure it was a Nissan Navara – but I didn’t manage get the registration.

“I hope someone might know where this couple – in their 40s/50s – were/are staying, to track them down.”

Police were informed and are making inquires to trace the owners. Anyone with details, call 101.