Two dogs have killed Coco, María José's dog who was attacked while she was walking through Plaza Virrei Amat (Barcelona). On March 19 he started calmly, but ended with an unexpected tragedy.
After the complaint, the dogs were taken to the pound and a few days later they returned to their owner, who was not responsible for anything. Now that more than a month has passed, we have spoken with María José to find out how she is and what she can do in this situation.
How did it all happen?
It was Father's Day, at eleven in the morning. I live in the Sant Martí de Provençals neighborhood and I walked with Coco to Virrei Amat. My father, who is 93 years old, lives and we went to congratulate him. We had a drink together, but I couldn't entertain myself for long because I worked later. Suddenly, I saw a girl crying who was carrying a baby in her arms. At no time could I imagine what happened minutes before.
The three of us were walking and then two dogs came out like beasts between some motorcycles. In a matter of seconds they bit into Coco's belly like a stuffed animal. Then the owner and the two dogs ran away. I ran after him screaming. The people who were there cornered him and called the Urban Police. They immediately showed up and we filed a complaint. Before they killed my dog, they had also killed a chihuahua. All this happened in less than ten minutes and I couldn't believe it. I am very grateful that people volunteered as witnesses.
What did you feel at that moment and how did you act?
My father was desperate and crying all the time, and I was screaming like crazy. What we experienced was horrible. I never imagined walking down the street calmly with my father and my dog, and having two beasts appear. We are very angry because all that unpleasantness could have been avoided. My dog didn't deserve to die like that. Two years ago the same dogs bit another one belonging to a neighbor on the same staircase. This neighbor showed up in the square because he wanted to kill the man. He is a scoundrel, because on top of that he ran away and hasn't even apologized. That person does not have a heart, but a stone.
Did you take any action after the tragedy?
The Urban Police took our statement. This man is being denounced civilly and criminally. I can not consent this. He should have left the house with the dogs with the muzzle on. It's not the first time these dogs have done it. They are repeat offenders and it is the owner's fault for not knowing how to educate the animals. The aggressiveness with which they attacked is not normal and it is the owner who made them aggressive.
Currently, what is the situation?
When I go to my father's house I don't go there anymore. A City Council van took this man's dogs and after ten days they returned him. These dogs, with another owner, would not be like this. Animals are the reflection of their owners. This man is totally irresponsible. The death of my dog and the chihuahua has been of no use because he has his dogs again. The Urban Police told me that the trial would take place in approximately two years.
How would you like to see justice done?
May this man take a good punishment and not have dogs for life. It is seen that he now walks the dogs at dawn. The animals, once done, can repeat it again. It is seen that another woman has commented that her dog was also bitten, but she did not report it. Surely, this man's dogs have done it more times, but it is not known why people have not reported it.
How are you now that more than a month has passed?
When I see a dog like mine, I get a lump in my throat and tears come to my eyes. All animals are special, especially for the people we like. This has been a disgrace. I went for a walk with my dog and came back alone with the harness. My dog was very fun, playful, sociable and the joy of my family. Three years ago my husband died and my children gave it to me for my birthday, on Three Kings Day. It is very sad to open the door of the house and not be welcomed, now there is no joy.
We decided to cremate the dogs separately and the man said that he would only pay for the cremation if it was joint. Who is he to decide what he should pay and what not? This is decided by a judge. In the end each one paid for his cremation and we have Coco's ashes at home. We also have a framed print with his fingerprints.
In the future, would you have another dog?
Not right now. But we really like animals. Those who do not have an animal miss out on many things because an animal is a joy. In the future we do not rule it out, but now we are grieving and we keep it in mind at every moment.
What advice would you give to people with a pet after your experience?
Muzzle the dogs and tie them to avoid unpleasantness. Not just older dogs, but all those that bite or are aggressive. This way, there is more peace of mind. The muzzle is not mistreating, it is protecting and saving lives. The dogs could have bitten us too and my father ended up with his hand covered in bruises to prevent Coco's death. If you don't like animals, don't have them.
This article was originally published on RAC1.
