My friends dog was killed yesterday

[catz]

I'm very upset at the moment. I got a call early this morning from my friend who lives up in Dublin. She was sobbing and it took me a while to calm her down enough to explain the situation.
Apparently she was walking her yorkie Lacey early today down the canal near her house. When she was near the end of the walk way two large unleashed dogs ran over the bridge and attacked her little dog. She described them as 2 mix breeds, a dark brown one and a white one with tan patches both short haired and without collars. The started to maul lacey while my friend attempted to fight them off with a stick she was carrying. One picked lacey up and she was screaming. At one point to teenage males appeared on the bridge, called the dogs and ran away. The dogs dropped lacey and took off after them.
Lacey is 7 and died on the scene from punctures on her neck and head. From my friends description she was in a very bad way.
The police were called and said that the was a warning in the paper last week about the same thing happening to another lady whos collie was also mauled by dogs of that description.
I am in shock. The neighbours of my mate are now out looking for the 2 men and dogs.
Why did this happen?! Lacey was like a child to my friend and now she is gone. This has happened twice and they men have still not been identified. Someone must know who they are.
I am heading to dublin tomorrow to be with my friend but what do I say?
A warning in the local paper seems like a lazy job on the gaurds part. What if you dont read that particular paper? The canal is a very popular place for dog walkers in such a built up area.
Ugh I dont know what to think..

[Kittilicious]

How horrible! I'm so sorry for your friend & you. I can't imagine what she was thinking/feeling as this happened!
Did the paper have a description of the dogs/men? Maybe that would help to identify them? If there was a 2nd attack, you think the paper would do another write up?

[selzer]

I never know quite what to say, depends on the person. The best bet is to tell her how very sorry you are that this happened, and not to minimize it in any way, and not to suggest that she get another dog. If she brings that up, that is fine but let talk of that sort start with her.

Printing it in the newspaper is a lot more I think than what would happen here. It sounds like they are fishing for leads, which means they are taking it seriously. The answers have to come from people who know the people with the dogs, or that have seen them, and know where they live. Getting the description out there gives people the opportunity to call with information.

[Germanshepherdlova]

What a nightmare. My heart goes out to your friend.

So, let me make sure that I understand this correctly, it is believed that these 2 teenage boys are intentionally allowing their dogs to attack other dogs?

[GSDBESTK9]

So sad. My condolences to your friend. Hope they find the 2 guys and the dogs.

[GSDkid]

I've been seeing so many threads of dogs dying lately. it's so depressing. I've so sorry to hear about your friend's dog. I hope they find those people and they get the punishment that they deserve.

[GSDolch]

I am very sorry for her lose. Sometimes you dont have to say anything, Just be there for her and give a should to cry on.

[1sttimeforgsd]

So sorry for the loss of your friends precious pet, her baby is now running free at the bridge.

[catz]

Hi everyone. I dont think the guys are setting their dogs on people but they are just letting their vicious dogs run around off lead. Well I guess if they know their dogs have bitten before, they might as well be setting them on people.
I am heading up in the morning just to be near her. Her kids are in bits. Lacey was a muched loved dog in her area so many neighbours have been out looking for the guys all day and knocking on doors for information. Its happened twice in the same place so they must live nearby.
I cant believe they guys just ran off.. I mean they didnt even come over to help.

[catz]

Hi guys just an update. The white and tan patch dog was found wandering around an estate today. A neighbour managed to put a rope around its neck and hold it till the guards came and took her. They think she may be pregnant or has recently had pups as her nipples are quite large and drooping. Still no sign of the brown dog or the 2 men but they are printing another warning to dog owners in the paper and there are signs up around the area asking for information.