Update: Devastated mum speaks out after fatal dog attack in Hatfield

A DEVASTATED mother has urged people to come forward with information after her daughter's rabbit was mauled to death by two Staffordshire bull terriers.

The mum-of-four, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, told the WHT that she came home from her daughter's school on Thursday afternoon to find eight-month old bunny Storm dead in her back garden.

She said: "I am devastated.

"It was my eldest daughter's pet rabbit.

"She had only had him for two or three months.

"It was sad because she had such a good report from school and then she came home to this and there were tears for the evening."

The 35-year-old, of Longmead, Hatfield, said her neighbour had witnessed the attack and saw two Staffordshire bull terriers, one white and one brown, break into Storm's hutch, before "tossing him up into the air".

She said that on the same afternoon the dogs struck in nearby Heathcote Avenue, where they reportedly killed a rabbit, a guinea pig and chickens.

The mum added: "Just a couple of hours before the attack, two of our children and one of their friends were going to play in the garden. What on earth would have happened if they were out there playing and the dogs came in then?"

When asked why she contacted the WHT, she said: "I am hoping someone will come forward who knows who the owners of these dogs are we can notify the dog warden.

"The warden said that if they were found they would be destroyed."

Police said the case was a matter for the dog warden, while a spokesman for Welwyn Hatfield Council said: "An incident was logged with Welwyn Hatfield Council by the police.

"The animal warden was contacted immediately.

"A second report of the same incident was received from a resident informing the council that two dogs had mauled a pet rabbit to death.

"Investigations continue."

If you have any information call the dog warden on 01707 357000.