Eastbourne boy and puppy reunite after horror attack

An Eastbourne boy and puppy have been reunited after the youngster intervened in a horrible attack which saw the pup seriously wounded.
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Oliver Hayes helped Kimberley Smith and her pet Baxter when the 11-month-old cockerpoo was ravaged by another dog in Shinewater Park.

Now the pair have met for the first time since the traumatic experience, after Kimberley put out an appeal to say thank you.

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Kimberley said, “It was quite emotional, it was very sweet. Baxter I’m pretty sure knew who it was and could smell him.

Baxter and Oliver were happy to see eachother againBaxter and Oliver were happy to see eachother again
Baxter and Oliver were happy to see eachother again

“He was very excited and happy to see Oliver. Oliver was very happy to see Baxter and give him a hug.”

The 12-year-old Causeway pupil comforted a sobbing Kimberley and helped look after Baxter, whose throat had been ripped open by what was described as a German Shepherd.

Despite the serious injury, and not knowing Kimberley, Oliver stayed with her and helped her carry the puppy to the edge of the park so he could be taken to the vets.

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She said, “He was very grown up for a young lad to deal with such injuries on an animal and a grown adult shaking and crying. He comforted us both.”

Baxter the cockerpoo before and after the incidentBaxter the cockerpoo before and after the incident
Baxter the cockerpoo before and after the incident

Kimberley put out a plea to find Oliver to properly thank him after the incident, which left her puppy’s life hanging by a thread.

Luckily Baxter has been able to make a swift recovery following surgery.

Oliver’s parents, Dohn and Teri Hayes, said, “When Oliver first told us what had happened he definitely played it down.

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“It wasn’t until we saw the article on the Eastbourne Herald Facebook page that we truly understood how horrific the attack was.

“We asked Oliver ‘is this attack where you assisted the lady?’ He replied ‘yes’.

“We found the owner on Facebook which then was followed shortly by a meet-up to thank him.

“She told us how amazing and level-headed he had been in this scary situation.

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“We are all very proud of him especially being so calm in a moment of time where many adults even may have panicked.”

Police are investigating the incident, which happened just after 6pm on August 20 in Shinewater Park.

Anyone who witnessed what happened or who has any information that could assist with enquiries can report online at www.sussex.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 1298 of 20/08.

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