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Vicar savaged by dog in churchyard

Annette Lord
25/ 9/2008

A VICAR is pleading with dog owners to keep their animals on a lead in public after she was mauled by an Alsatian in her own churchyard.

The Rev Hilary Evans was bitten five times and left covered in bruises after being attacked at St Peter's Church, Higher Blackley.

The dog was loose in the grounds and went for Rev Evans as she arrived at the church to meet someone last Thursday, knocking her to the ground.

She is now struggling to walk any distance because of her injuries and described the incident as a "horrific and harrowing" experience.

She said: "It was out of control, the owner pulled it off me. That is what saved me, really.

"A child would not have stood a chance."

The dog has since been put down.

Just days before the attack, Rev Evans, 59, carried out a pet blessing ceremony outside St Peter's and praised the behaviour of the animals that took part.

She is now calling on owners to respect the fact that dogs can be unpredictable and keep them on leads when in public place. She also says more dog walking areas should be placed in local parks.

Rev Evans thanked people for their "kind thoughts, prayers and wishes" and said she decided to speak out "after much soul searching."

She added: "If it saves a child's life or a dog's life then it is necessary and important.

"It is not about sensationalising the attack but preventing another. It is not about blame but about preventing an even worse event.

"My life will never be the same again but I am not the only one. My husband, family and friends are hurting. The church where I should be are shocked and minus their vicar while I recover. I also saw my shock and pain reflected in the owner's face and knew they would never be the same again.

"All of it could have been prevented. This happened in a churchyard where grieving people seek comfort and quiet. They often find a pet comforting and other dogs running around can cause them all sorts of problems.

"This kind of attack can end in the death of a child and no-one wants that on his or her conscience."