DOG owners are being warned that letting their pets wander without any means of identification is illegal. The GSPCA was shocked to learn about an incident that left two teenage sisters traumatised after a large dog – possibly a Rottweiler – attacked their muzzled Belgian Shepherd at L’Ancresse.

‘It is breaking the law if your dog is considered far enough away from its home to be a stray and is without any tag or means of identification,’ said GSPCA welfare officer Jenny Fox.

‘We have had incidents like this reported to us frequently but not just in that neck of the woods,’ she said.

She confirmed previous attacks on people by roaming dogs.

‘It’s a case of all owners ensuring dogs don’t escape from their property. It’s about being a good owner and responsible and not allowing your dog to be a nuisance to others.’

She urged anybody who might know the owner of the dog involved in the L’Ancresse attack to contact the GSPCA, police or the Guernsey Press.

Animal Aid was also shocked.

‘While we like to think this was an isolated case, we cannot ignore the fact that there have been several incidents involving dogs this year,’ said the charity’s Graham Queripel following yesterday’s Guernsey Press story.

‘We feel that every owner of any breed of dog has the duty to be responsible for their animal’s actions at all times, whether it is on or off the lead.’

He advised people in charge of a dog to ensure they had control of it at all times. Anyone with one loose in a public area, such as a beach, who was uncertain how it would behave when approached by other people – with or without dogs – should put it on a lead until they had passed, he said.

‘If you are unsure of its behaviour at any time, then that dog should be restrained and kept on the lead at all times and, if need be, muzzled.

‘Stray dogs running loose after escaping from the owner’s garden are even more of a problem. When faced by these animals, it can be alarming and frightening to any individual and the sad fact is that one day an incident involving a stray dog might result in someone getting seriously injured.

‘I hope that day never comes,’ said Mr Queripel.

The teenage girls attacked on the common at La Garenne said that their pleas for help went ignored by neighbours and passing motorists.

Mr Queripel said that he could understand people not wanting to get involved for fear of being bitten, but he would have hoped that someone would have stopped and helped the two young girls.

‘Unfortunately these days people seem to be quite happy to see things happen but not want to put themselves forward to help in any way.

‘We encourage owners of all breeds, not only Rottweilers, to ensure they are more responsible when out in any public place with their dog.

‘Should a serious incident happen whereby a child is attacked by a dog, then that dog’s future may well be questioned.’

* Do you know anything about the Beast of L’Ancresse? Phone the newsroom on 240241 (answerphone) or else email newsroom@guernsey-press.com.