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The devastated owners of a terrier have spoken of their heartbreak after a dangerous dog mauled their beloved pet to death. The owner of the other dog was sentenced earlier this week. Terry and Maria Hunton had pulled up at Tesco Extra in Bidston, Wirral, whilst preparing for a weekend journey to Norwich to mark Terry's brother's 70th birthday. Whilst Maria popped inside to do the shopping, Terry remained outside with their 13-year-old dog, Buddy. What started as an ordinary trip, on Wednesday, June 11, swiftly became a nightmare. A bull terrier-type dog, tethered to a nearby railing, was freed by its owner and it instantly began a savage assault, clamping its teeth around Buddy's skull, Terry said. Fighting back tears, Terry previously recalled how he reflexively jumped in to shield Buddy, reports the Liverpool Echo . The attacking canine kept biting the diminutive white West Highland terrier's head and, during the mayhem, it also sank its teeth into Terry's leg. Terry, 72, said: "It was a big dog that clamped its mouth around Buddy's head. I just dived in to try and stop it. It felt like it went on forever – blood was pouring from Buddy's head. I was on the ground with him; we were both covered in blood." Maria remained oblivious to the unfolding drama inside Tesco until a shopper located her and informed her about the assault. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here’s how to sign up Callum Brown finally succeeded in dragging his dog Nala, a Staffordshire cross, away from Terry and Buddy. Brown appeared before Sefton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, where he received a 17-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. The 25-year-old from Wildbrook Drive, Bidston, was also ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity. A destruction order was issued for Nala, with her owner granted 21 days to lodge an appeal. Following the sentencing, Maria told the Echo: "It's just been horrible; it's all been horrible. I'm hoping all the bad luck has left us now and we can move on. "I'm sad that the dog has to be put down, but it's not safe; it is a dangerous dog. I dread to think what it could have done to a child." She added: "He's here in my living room, in his box of ashes. I talk to Buddy every day. When they showed the videos of Buddy getting attacked and of him in the vets, that was awful. It was something I didn't want to see." Following the incident, a quick-thinking Tesco employee assisted Terry and Maria in rushing Buddy to a local veterinary surgery. They were subsequently directed to ChesterGates Veterinary Hospital, where Buddy remained overnight. The pair, who have resided in Wallasey for a decade, were able to collect him the following morning. It was only the next day, Thursday, that Terry discovered he had also sustained bite injuries to his hand and head. Medical staff at the hospital confirmed the wound resulted from a dog bite and administered a tetanus injection. Despite initial hopes that Buddy would recover, alarm bells rang when he refused to eat over the weekend. During a routine check-up on Monday, vets noticed facial swelling and decided to keep him in for further examination. Terry said: "The vet said he was in a really bad state. They planned to flush his wounds, put him on an IV, and perform a full-body scan. But before we even got home, we got the call - Buddy had suffered a heart attack and passed away." Buddy had been a part of the Hunton family since he was a puppy. Terry added: "He was 13 but still full of life. "He was a fighter, and we thought he'd pull through. It's heartbreaking that his life ended this way." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
