A WOMAN and her dog suffered a brutal attack by three Rottweilers while walking at a Poole beauty spot.

Kate from Bournemouth, who does not want to be identified further, needed hospital treatment for bite wounds to her hand and shoulder and a cracked rib following the incident at Upton Heath Nature Reserve. Her elderly mother was also injured as they desperately tried to protect pet Buddy from the three dogs.

The eighteen-month-old Westie suffered serious injuries, including a broken leg, a deep gash on his abdomen and puncture wounds all over his body.

He was rushed to a PDSA vet for emergency surgery, and, meanwhile, the police were called.

Describing the horrifying incident, Kate said: “We were enjoying our walk and were about 10 minutes from home when we noticed a couple with three dogs in the distance. I saw the largest of these dogs stop and stare at us, going very still.

“I said to my mum ‘I don’t like the look of this dog’, and within seconds it was charging at us. I picked Buddy up as the dog started jumping up.

“One of the owners came over but his other two dogs saw him running, raced ahead of him and knocked us both to the ground.”

In the ensuing chaos, Kate lost her hold on Buddy and he was attacked by all three dogs. Kate was bitten on her hands and shoulders as she tried to pull him out. The owner fled with the Rottweilers when the attack came to a stop.

PDSA vet Paul Cossey said: “Buddy was in a terrible state when he arrived, still in shock after his ordeal.

“He had broken his leg and had a large wound across his abdomen, which fortunately hadn’t penetrated into his organs, as that could have proved fatal.

“After his complex surgery he was hooked up to a morphine drip to control his pain.”

Buddy was allowed to go home the following day but has been back regularly for follow-up treatment to help him recover.

Kate praised the charity PDSA, saying they were “amazing and a huge support”. “The treatment Buddy has received has been first class,” she said.

“Buddy’s wounds are starting to heal now but the psychological scars will last a lot longer. I’m now terrified to take him on walks and Buddy is a nervous wreck. Any slight noise he jumps out of his skin, I’ve even had to put a sign up asking people not to press the doorbell as it upsets him.

“People need to have control of their dogs, especially if they’re a danger to other pets or people.”

Anyone with any information about the attack, which happened on Wednesday, June 6, is asked to contact Dorset police by calling 101.