Is there a killer dog on the loose in Warwick?

Winifred Sharoleater Dyer contacted The Royal Gazette to explain that she is afraid to let her little Pekinese out of her sight because of another dog in the neighbourhood that she believes may be a threat to her petite pooch.

She has seen it with a kitten and a chicken in its mouth and believes it may have been responsible for the death of her first Pekinese, Tito, killed three years ago.

"Tito was on his own property, or should I say his own yard," said the 54-year-old bus driver and canine lover.

"He was just cooling out, tied on his leash with the other end tied to the doorknob. Someone else's dog came into the yard and killed him. There were puncture wounds in his little neck. The arteries had been punctured with the killer dog's teeth. Blood was spattered all over.

"Believe it or not, the same dog that killed my dog is still allowed to roam free in my neighbourhood.

"During its freedom run, I have seen it with a kitten in its mouth and another time I saw it with a chicken hanging from its mouth.

"I have had to chase that dog away from my yard more than a few times, as recent as last Saturday.

"While I have another little Pekinese now, and love her in the same way, nothing can replace or erase the memories of my other little dog that I had for so long."

She accused the other dog, described as a large black dog with grey markings and of rare breed, of terrorising the neighbourhood and barking at everyone she sees.

"I know there is a law in place that dogs should not be allowed to roam off their property," she continued.

"People just do not abide by the laws anymore - something has to be done. I am now so paranoid and fearful that something will happen to my dog, even when I am walking her, that I have become overprotective."

The Royal Gazette sent a reporter to Tribe Road No. 5 to investigate and although a `Beware the Dog' sign was seen, there was no sign of any dogs, menacing or otherwise.

Head dog warden Jeffrey Benevides urged Ms Dyer to contact his office with information about the alleged canine killer.

"It is an offence to allow a dog off your property without a leash," he told The Royal Gazette.

"It is irresponsible for owners to just let their dogs run free. If we catch stray dogs there is an $85 reclamation fee. If we observe a dog allowed to roam free on a regular basis then we can seize it is as a stray.

"I would urge this lady to get in contact with us as soon as possible."