Horror as dog killed on Caldy beach

Feb 20 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Hoylake and West Kirby News

A SAVAGE attack which claimed the life of a miniature Yorkshire terrier on Caldy beach devastated his owners and left witnesses horrified.

Benji, a 13-year-old terrier weighing 3kg, was approached by a labrador cross as he sniffed rocks on the beach close to Croft Drive on Sunday afternoon.

The other dog was with its owners.

Benji was out with Carol and Kami Falaki, of Pritch Close, Greasby, who had owned him since he was born.

Carol, a research and development co-ordinator, said: “I saw the dog approach Benji, so I thought I had better go and pick him up.

“Before I could get there, the dog had him in his mouth. “His teeth were around Benji’s stomach and the dog was shaking him everywhere.

“I tried to pull him off but his grip was so tight.

“By the time Benji was out of his mouth, we knew he was already dead.

“I held him and the blood poured out of him - I knew he had gone.”

Police were called by a man who witnessed the distressing scene which took place in sight of crowds of families and other dog walkers at around 3.30pm.

Carol added: “We are absolutely devastated. I helped deliver Benji when my sister’s dog was giving birth to him.

“Kami and I don’t have any children together and Benji was born around the time we met, so he was like our child.”

Kami said: “We can’t get the scene out of our heads.

“The only comfort we have is that he died quickly.

“We loved our little dog so much - he had the body of a midget but the heart of a lion.”

Police said this week that the incident was under investigation.