A FAMILY'S pet dog was brutally killed by a bull terrier while terrified children, barely metres away, watched on.
Sean and Hayley McCann's nine year-old son Macauley, who was savaged by another dog five years ago, witnessed the horrific attack on terrier Scooby Doo.
Shocked estate residents are calling for action to be taken before a child is injured - or worse.
Hayley, of Min y Ddol, Maesgeirchen, did not witness the attack on her street, in which she said her pet was "crushed" by the other dog's jaws. She said: "The street was full of children because the ice-cream man had just been. My son saw everything - and he was once attacked by another dog and needed 26 stitches in his cheek.
"He was in a hell of a state after seeing what happened. People who saw it - grown men and women - are still stunned by what happened. Scooby Doo was our pet, a part of our family. He was a friendly dog, always playing. But what I'm most hurt about is the way he has gone.
"He was in severe shock. People said he was treated like a teddy bear and carried around - I was too frightened to look at him. When I did, I could just tell there was no hope for him."
The vet's report said Scooby Doo had rib fractures, torn muscles, large penetrating wounds, a collapsed lung and a ruptured liver corresponding to a severe attack by a larger dog, which had carried and shaken him violently. Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident and the relevant laws concerning dog attacks.
Hayley expressed her fears that a prolonged investigation might leave other people exposed: "My main concern is for the children on this estate. The schools are about to close. What's going to happen then?"
Maesgeirchen residents hope the incident might spark Gwynedd Council to assess how many similar dogs live on estates like Maesgeirchen, and undertake a policy change.
A witness to the attack said: "We have got to look to protect ourselves, and in this instance something needs doing straight away. We are living in constant fear that something like this might happen again.
"I am fearful of when I go around with my dog at night that I might bump into this dog. If it gets loose, there might be a fatality."
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