Dog saves owner’s life following brutal attack
A black Labrador named Henry is being hailed as a doggie hero after his quick thinking saved the life of his owner in Scotland. Henry was being walked by his owner David Baird in Kilbirnie, in Ayrshire, this week when David was attacked by assailants. David was viciously beaten and left for dead on a cycle path, just yards from his home, and is believed that he would have died had it not been for Henry.
Henry, the Labrador, ran home to raise the alarm to David’s wife Annabel. Henry arrived at his home and began scratching on the front door to alert Annabel’s attention to the incident. When Annabel opened the door and found the dog on his own, Henry led her to where her husband lay unconscious, covered in blood.
Annabel immediately alerted the police and the ambulance service, and David was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition. Police are appealing for witnesses to the crime.
A friend of the family was quoted as saying:
“This is horrific. Everyone is in complete shock.”
“David has sustained terrible injuries but he could easily have died had Henry not raised the alarm. The dog has saved his life. We are now just hoping that he will pull through but he is in a bad way.”
“Nobody has any idea who would have wanted to attack David. He and Annabel and their three children are a lovely family and it is impossible to think why anyone would have wanted to do something like this to him.”
“So far as we know, no money or anything like that was taken in the attack. It is a total mystery.”
Both David and Annabel are hairdressers who moved to Scotland from London to open their own salon. David originally worked for Vidal Sassoon and Annabel for Toni and Guy.
David is a father of three, having a daughter aged 14 and two sons, both aged 12.
The friend of the family continued:
“David and Annabel are very popular. They have won awards for their hairdressing in London and came here to start their own business and raise their family.”
“The cycle path is popular with dog walkers but I think people will be thinking twice before going up there now.”
The police are investigating the attack, which happened on Wednesday evening after 9pm. DC Stephen Ferry, who is working on the case, commented:
“From the extent of the victim’s injuries, it is clear he has sustained a vicious and prolonged attack.”
“We do not know how many people have carried out the assault and due to the isolation of the cycle track, any information from the public would be extremely helpful.”
Had it not been for Henry, the couple’s dog, David may not have been found until the morning – by which time it could have been too late.
