A DISTRESSED dog owner has spoken out after his beloved Maltese terrier, Polly, was savaged by a fox and had to be put to sleep last week.

Richard Gregory let Polly out into the garden of his home in Shortheath at around 10pm on Tuesday, October 13, for her routine pee before going to bed.

But unbeknown to Richard, his small seven-year-old terrier was set-upon by a fox leaving her with serious facial injuries before the wild animal fled back into the hedgerow.

“There was a terrible sound, which I will remember for the rest of my life, and I ran to the patio doors as Polly arrived in the doorway,” Richard told the Herald.

“Her mouth, head and throat had been savaged; she was covered in blood, and the look on her face, which I will also remember for the rest of my life, was ‘help me’.”

Polly was rushed to the VetsNow out-of-hours emergency service in Hale Road, where she was heavily sedated and cared for overnight.

However, due to the severity of her injuries, the decision was taken the following morning to put her out of her misery with a lethal injection.

Richard continued: “VetsNow were excellent and first thing on Wednesday morning the overnight vet briefed us on their findings and we were taken to her.

“Their report and X-rays were emailed to our local vet Shortheath Veterinary Surgery where Polly was well-known. As always, they were excellent.

“We went through everything and the decision was taken to put her to sleep at 9.45am. Polly was a lovely loyal and docile dog. She will be sadly missed.”

In the wake of the attack, Richard has cautioned all pet owners, and particularly those in the Shortheath area, to be wary of the potential of fox attacks.

He said: “I have not heard of a fox attack of this sort before, have never had any problems in the past, and hope I never have any problem in the future.

“But there are foxes out there, and pet owners should take care.”