A 49-year old woman from Tilgate, West Sussex, UK, was walking her two dogs, German shepherd Sade and a Staffordshire bull terrier Frank, when she was attacked by a man. When Sade heard her owner’s screams, she jumped into action and bit the attacker, scaring him away.
The attack happened on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, on Winchester Road towards the K2 leisure centre. The woman took her pets out for a late night walk at 11:50 p.m. Sade and Frank were off leash and ran ahead, chasing an empty plastic bottle, when suddenly a man jumped behind the pet owner, pulled her by the hair and dragged her to the ground.
The woman tried to fight off the assailant, but if it wasn’t for Sade’s brave actions, she would have suffered serious injuries.
“Sade saved my life,” the victim told This Is Sussex. “I have been treating [Sade] with steak to eat ever since and she is being really protective of me.”
According to Detective Sergeant Steve Tattersall, the victim described her attacker as a “largely built man, wearing a dark hoodie, and dark trousers.” Police searched the area but did not find anyone matching this description. They are now hoping a witness or anyone with information on a man suffering from a dog bite comes forwards.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting serial 1699 of 16/11,” said Tattersall . “Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Thanks to Sade her owner is safe and sound.
“I didn’t know what he was going to do to me,” said the woman. “I didn’t have a bag or anything of value on me for him to steal. I thought I was going to die.”
