News

Photographer bitten by savage dog

By Stephen Lloyd
June 25, 2009

FORMER News & Mail photographer Jeff Trolley has had emergency surgery after being savaged by a dog.

Jeff, a snapper with the company for 45 years, needed a skin graft on his left arm following the mauling near his Farnborough home on Saturday afternoon.

He and his partner Cathy McDermott were walking along an alleyway behind the Tradesmans Arms in Cove when the vicious attack took place at about 4.45pm.

The couple were walking a Yorkshire Terrier called Buster that belongs to Ms McDermott’s daughter.

"Suddenly this Staffordshire Bull Terrier came out of a gateway," said Ms McDermott.

"It came screaming out at us in a frenzy and went for Buster.

"Jeff picked up Buster and the dog started to attack him.

Blood

"It jumped about four feet in the air. He was probably trying to get to Buster but bit Jeff on the arms about four times.

"It took one large chunk out of his left arm, which went down to the bone."

Ms McDermott added: "It took three or four people to get the dog off Jeff. Even when they dragged it away it was still raring to go.

"People were wrapping Jeff’s arms with tea towels to try and stem the flow of blood.

"He was too shocked to say anything but I was screaming my head off."

A passer-by called an ambulance and paramedics arrived within a few minutes.

Terrified

"I shouted out I think Jeff is going to die," said Ms McDermott. "I’m still frightened when I think about it."

Mr Trolley was taken to Frimley Park Hospital but transferred to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead on Tuesday for specialist treatment.

He had skin from his thigh grafted onto his left arm during a detailed operation on Wednesday afternoon.

"Jeff’s a bit sore but he’s in pretty good form," said Ms McDermott.

"We’re waiting to see if the graft has taken but he will need months of ongoing treatment."

Put down

The dog that attacked Jeff has been put down.

"Why these people have these dangerous dogs I just don’t know," said Ms McDermott.

"I’ve never seen that dog before and I walk there every day. I get sick thinking about what could have happened.

"If I hadn’t had Jeff with me I don’t think I’d be alive to tell the tale.

"I’ll be terrified for the rest of my life and I think Jeff will too."

Ms McDermott added: "Friends have been very good to us.

"The phone hasn’t stopped ringing and people have been sending cards offering their support.

"We’ve got one big card from our friends at the Aldershot Conservative Club with hundreds of names.

"Jeff’s got lots of friends and is very popular.

"He’s my hero – he saved my life and Buster’s too."

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I am appalled at Ms McDermotts comment,'Why these people have these dangerous dogs........' I myself have one of these supposed dangerous dogs, a cat and two young children under the age of 6. My youngest is only 2 and when having his afternoon nap will curl up with the dog on its bed and even rest his head on the dog. The local Iceland delivery men love my dog, in fact one of them also has a dog of the same breed and would love to take mine home. A couple of weeks ago I took my dog up the local common with her cousin, whom is a rottweiler(oh my another dangerous dog) and my brother who is the dogs owner. We were walking along when a greyhound appeared, my brother instantly put his dog on the lead which is what he does if his dog has not met the dog before and aware that the dog would get the blame if anything arose due to being a supposed dangerous dog. I knew my dog had met this dog before and they were fine, however next thing I knew a fight had broke out. Luckily my brother interviened and I comforted my dog as she had blood on her,NOT FROM HER MOUTH BUT FROM HER EAR AND PAW. I later found she had a hole on the base of her ear. Even when my 'dangerous dog' had to stick up for herself she wasnt capable of being DANGEROUS. Its down to the owners not the dogs. You cant just presume every Staffordshire Bull Terrier is going to be a 'dangerous dog' just because one is. A white person robs an old lady does that mean all white people are thieves?

strider, surrey
20/07/2009 at 09:15

I am absolutely appalled at Ms McDermotts comment, 'Why people have these dangerous dogs........' I myself have one of these supposed dangerous dogs with a cat and two young children under the age of six. My youngest who is 2years old sits on my dogs bed and puts his head on her and they will sleep together that way. My Staffordshire Bull Terrier greets everyone she meets with excitement and love, even our local Iceland delivery men love her, one in particular would love to take her home and also has his own. A couple of weeks back I took her up the local common with her cousin, my brothers rottweiler (oh s**t another DANGEROUS DOG) and a greyhound came along, my brother immediately put his dog on the lead as he does when ever he comes across a dog that his dog doesnt know and he is fully aware this supposed dangerous dog would get the blame if anything was to happen. My girl has met the dog before and there was no problem so i left her to it. Next thing I know there was a fight breaking out, my brother interviened and I was on the floor holding my dog, there was blood and it was coming from her. Not her mouth but her ear and her foot. My supposed dangerous dog couldnt even stick up for herself when being attacked. Just because a white man has robbed a shop, does that make all us white people thieves? I suggest before slandering and tarring every breed, family or creed with the same brush you should think. I believe its down to the owners not the dog as I know alot of 'dangerous dogs' which are loving and about as dangerous as a cardboard box.

strider, surrey
20/07/2009 at 08:59

jeff is a great friend of mine known about 35years when he took a snap of my late husband and my self many years ago. been to see him to day with my friend angela and consisdering what hes been through hes very cheerful it was an awful thing to happen. my dear late jack russel was mauled my another dog in my own back yard and he did a story about it i wish him and kitty well and hope gets over it as it must have been terrifying. from margaret.day2211@btinternet.com