By CATHERINE MASTERS
Sir Edmond, a pure-bred staffordshire bull terrier, is David Hartley's pride and joy.
Ed sleeps on the bed and is a friendly family dog. But he was left shivering in fear on Long Bay Beach on the North Shore at the weekend after an angry family screamed and shouted at him and then threw a brick at him.
Mr Hartley said the family followed the brick with stones, and yelled at their children to get out of Ed's way.
The incident - just one in a run of attacks and abuse against Ed during his walks on the beach - left Mr Hartley and his wife, Dorette, extremely upset.
Other dog owners say that since the run of anti-dog publicity following the attack on Auckland 7-year-old Carolina Anderson life has become unbearable.
SPCA Auckland chief executive Bob Kerridge says he is hearing of many incidents in which dog owners are being victimised.
Kathy Fitzpatrick, who runs a North Shore dog-grooming parlour, said many of her clients had told her of abusive comments as they walked their dogs.
Staffordshire bull terriers are not the only victims. One woman with a golden retriever was also abused. "It's absolutely ridiculous," said Ms Fitzpatrick.
Mr Hartley, who is a spokesman for staffordshire bull terrier breeders, said people should stop and think about their reactions, "before someone does something truly stupid and gets hurt".
Ed is let off his leash on Long Bay Beach about five nights a week after 7pm in summer, as he is legally allowed to be according to North Shore City Council bylaws.
The brick narrowly missed Ed and Mrs Hartley, who tried to run further down the beach with the dog but the man in the family group continued to throw stones.
"By now the whole group were involved, shouting and swearing. Their children were screaming hysterically," Mr Hartley said. "We sat in the dunes. My wife cried, the dog shivered and I quietly raged."
Mr Hartley said none of the recent high-profile dog attacks had been by staffordshire bull terriers, and many owners were being unfairly victimised.
Mr Kerridge said the only breed the SPCA considered should be banned was the pitbull terrier and cross-breeds with pitbull in them.
Herald feature: When dogs attack
How you can help
A trust fund has been opened for 7-year-old dog attack victim Carolina Anderson. You can send a cheque to: Carolina Anderson Trust Account, BNZ, PO Box 46-294, Herne Bay, or donate over the internet to BNZ account number 020 248 000 3002-000.
The Herald is backing an appeal to raise money for a $150,000 operating-room microscope for Middlemore's plastic surgery unit. The microscope is essential in minute plastic surgery work such as reattaching nerves. Middlemore has two, used on Carolina Anderson and the victims of the Pipiroa sword attack, but they need replacing. Donations can be sent to: The Microsurgery Appeal, Editorial Department, New Zealand Herald, PO Box 706, Auckland.
