A MOTHER and daughter are warning dog walkers to be aware after their West Highland terrier was viciously attacked by a greyhound.

Hayley Brewer and her mother Alison were walking their two West Highland terriers Ollie and Henry near Russell Howard Park in South Ham on July 1 at 11.30am, when they saw a tan-coloured greyhound running towards them.

Hayley said: “There was nothing we could do. He circled us growling and then got hold of our eldest Westie Ollie. I was screaming at it to get off and we were trying to hit it with the handle of our extendable lead to get it off.”

Unfortunately, Alison was injured during the incident and fractured her finger trying to fight off the greyhound, having to visit A&E for treatment.

Hayley said the dog’s owner, who also had a black greyhound with him, came over to help, but was bitten by the tan-coloured greyhound.

Eventually the two dogs were separated and Hayley and her mum took eight-year-old Ollie to the vet because he was bleeding.

Hayley, from South Ham, said: “We are worried that it might do it again. We took Ollie to the vets and he had severe bruising and a puncture wound under his collar so he’s had to be on antibiotics. The bill cost us £55.”

Ollie is now recovering well, but Hayley and Alison hope to warn others living in the area to be on their guard.

Hayley said: “If Ollie had been off the lead his injuries would be much worse. The greyhound knew what he was doing. We won’t walk our dogs over there again.”

The incident was reported to the dog warden, but because Hayley and Alison did not get the details of the greyhound’s owner, they have been told it is unlikely anything will be done.

Asked what she would say to the owner of the greyhound, Hayley said: “Put a muzzle on your dog and keep it under control.”