Bidston, England — A tragic dog attack has led to the destruction of a bull terrier after it seriously injured a small West Highland terrier named Buddy outside a Tesco Extra store. The violent incident unfolded as the dog’s owner, Terry Hunton, attempted to protect his beloved pet from the aggressive bull terrier, named Nala.
On June 11, Terry and his partner, Maria, had stopped at the supermarket to prepare for a family celebration in Norwich. While Maria went inside to shop, Terry waited outside with Buddy. Nala, who was tied to a railing and subsequently released by her owner, lunged at Buddy, clamping down on his head and causing severe injuries.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as Terry bravely intervened. He instinctively jumped in to shield Buddy, but sustained injuries himself when Nala bit him on the leg. “It felt like it went on forever — blood was pouring from Buddy’s head,” Terry recounted, recalling the turmoil of that moment.
Maria was initially unaware of the severity of the situation until another customer alerted her to the unfolding attack. As chaos ensued, the dog’s owner, 25-year-old Callum Brown, managed to restrain Nala and end the assault.
Following the attack, Brown appeared in Sefton Magistrates’ Court, where he received a suspended sentence of 17 weeks in prison. In addition to being mandated to perform 120 hours of community service and undergo 20 days of rehabilitation, a court order was issued for Nala’s destruction. Her owner has a 21-day window to appeal the decision.
In a poignant reflection on the aftermath, Maria expressed profound sorrow for both Buddy and the bull terrier. “It’s just been horrible. I dread to think what could have happened to a child. It’s a dangerous dog,” she said. “I talk to Buddy every day. The footage of him during the attack was unimaginable.”
Despite immediate medical attention from nearby veterinary services, Buddy’s condition worsened in the days following the attack. After initially appearing to recover, he declined to eat and was later found to have facial swelling, leading to further examination. Tragically, Buddy suffered a heart attack and passed away shortly thereafter, devastating Terry and Maria.
Terry bittersweetly reflected on his companion, stating, “He was 13 but still full of life. He was a fighter, and we thought he’d pull through. It’s heartbreaking that his life ended this way.” The couple, who had raised Buddy since he was a puppy, now face the painful reality of a home without their beloved pet.