Dog Attack Details Emerge

A Boxer dog's horrific attack on a father and his two children was only stopped when a neighbour strangled the animal to death with a choke chain.

Steve Deas, his seven-year-old son and nine-year-old were subjected to the brutal attack by his girlfriend's six-year-old male dog after it became "spooked".
 
The animal chewed off part of the boy's ear and bit the girl's face, legs and arms.
 
As Mr Deas tried to protect his son, his daughter ran to alert a neighbour - who called police then killed the dog with a chain.
 
The horrific details emerged during an unrelated civil case at Dundee Sheriff Court.
 
The incident, which took place on July 16 in a field at Aberlemno, Angus, left the boy needing reconstructive plastic surgery.
 
It happened as Mr Deas and the children took three of his girlfriend's boxer dogs, aged 10, six and five, for a walk off-lead in a field.
 
Solicitor George Donnelly told the court that the children had been playing with the dogs earlier in the afternoon and often walked them in an adjoining field.
 
During the walk the male dog was on the lead and became "spooked" and started "snapping" at the girl.
 
Mr Donnelly said: "She fell, followed by the others, and the dog then attacked.
 
"Mr Deas covered his son and got his daughter away.
 
"She alerted a neighbour, who rang 999 and kille the dog.
 
"The other two dogs are to be rehomed in what can be described as police custody."
 
Mr Deas, 50, who runs the Dundee Pet Food Delivery Service, owns a Rottweiler dog of his own which was not present during the incident.
 
Police are still investigating the incident but it is understood no criminal charges are likely to be brought.
 
A source said they are treating the incident as a "tragic accident".