The owners of a tiny Yorkshire terrier have been left “devastated” after their beloved pet was mauled to death in a north London street by a pit bull-type dog.
Neighbours and prominent figures including Labour MP David Lammy have showed their support for the family of Rocky Rockman, who died after being attacked on Tottenham Lane in Crouch End at around 3.45 on Tuesday.
The dog was rushed into surgery but died on the operating table as vets tried to save her.
Rocky’s owner, cartoonist Zoom Rockman, 18, told the Standard that he had been out walking Rocky with his mum before going home while she went on to the shops with the dog.
He said: “I got a phone call from my mum screaming that something had happened to Rocky.”
He then ran out to meet his mum before finding her surrounded by police.
“She was sitting down on the pavement, and the dog was wrapped up in a towel. Her insides were coming out,” Mr Rockman said.
“Because she is such a small dog people thought that it was my mum who had been stabbed and was bleeding.”
Rocky died while the vets were trying to save her in surgery, Mr Rockman explained, adding that his Yorkshire terrier had a ruptured spleen, cut arteries and a fractured leg.
His mother, Kate, 49, called the ordeal “horrific” saying she had to fight off the black dog with her “bare hands”.
“It was so vicious. I cannot tell you how dangerous that dog is. It was terrifying” she said.
She told the Standard how she was walking down the road and saw three youths walking a black dog ahead.
“The next thing I know is my dog was screaming and crying and was being brutally shaken,” she said.
“I’m usually sympathetic for dogs in this situation, but this one just seemed wild. It just went for her."
She said she struggled to get Rocky out of the dog's teeth saying: “I was trying and trying to get it off her. I was screaming.”
“Rocky really was adorable. We are just absolutely devastated."
The family say they are still very concerned for other pets and even children while the dog is still at large.
Mr Rockman's mother said: “I know I'd be scared to walk another dog along here now. At the end of the day it's a dog too, it could easily be a child.
Prominent figures including local MPs David Lammy and Catherine West have sent their condolences to the family, with the Reverend Richard Coles also passing on messages of support.
MPS Haringey police tweeted: "If anyone has any information please make contact with us, absolutely devastating for this family."
