A Hamilton woman has been left distraught after a Rottweiler mauled her dog to death as she walked it in a city park.
In social media posts, Marama Bowler has described how she took her beloved dog Trixie and her friend's dog, Skip, for a walk on a path alongside the Waikato River, near Cobham Dr bridge on Thursday, when a rottweiler appeared in front of them.
"I'm still pulling you both away from him because he wasn't on a lead and his owner wasn't in sight ... I turn my back for split second next thing I feel a yank on the leash I turn and I just see you getting thrown around like rag doll.
"I tried yanking you back to protect you but he had you locked in his mouth. His owner suddenly appeared after hearing my cries for help. She eventually got him away from you but you were lifeless, I stood back in disbelief of what I'd just witness [sic]."
Bowler told the Herald the owner of the Rottweiler, named Bess, had voluntarily had her put down.
She said she had never taken her dog to the particular spot where she was killed but thought it would be safe as it used to be a "hangout spot" when she was younger.
"We went to the dog park at Bader St because it was a little hot and I thought the dogs would enjoy a swim. I'd never taken them to river before and it was only a 5 min walk away from the park."
She now felt guilty and was constantly reminded of her companion as she carried out daily tasks around the home.
"Trixie would follow me everywhere I went in the house she would even sit out the door of the toilet or bathroom waiting for me.
"Last night I was loading the dishwasher and I broke down because she's usually in the way by planting herself in the middle of the kitchen or walking around the sniffing out for food that's fallen off the bench. It's just little things but I feel guilty for taking her to a place we'd never been before."
The owner of the Rottweiler stayed with her until her flatmate came to the scene and also looked after Trixie until she could tend to her herself.
"I know the owner was horrified by what her dog did. She stayed with me until [flatmate] came and she aided Trixie as much as she could until I calmed myself down to go beside her."
She now urges dog owners to keep their dogs on a leash even if they think they were safe without one.
"Dogs can snap at any given moment. I'm a dog lover I don't blame the other dog or owner. It can happen to anyone."