Eight-year-old girl from Haverhill attacked by dog

Sonia Rowdon was about to leave for a hen party on Sunday, June 11, when she received a call that her daughter Annabell was being rushed to Addenbrookes hospital.  

Annabell had spent the weekend with her grandfather and aunt, and that morning had accompanied her grandfather Steven Rowdon to a training course for reactive dogs in the village of Horseheath.

“We were given instructions that the dogs were to be kept on the lead at all times, and under strict control,” explained Mr Rowdon.  

Annabell Rowdon with her mother, Sonia Rowdon. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

A large dog which he believes to be an Anatolian Shepherd had a “little go” at his German Shepherd. The owners moved their dogs away from each other. 

However, a few minutes later, the other dog pulled away from its owner, who dropped the lead. 

“It bypassed my dog, me, another dog and its owner and made a beeline straight for my granddaughter,” said Mr Rowdon. “It was only for a second or two, but it shook her like a ragdoll.” 

Sonia Rowdon said her daughter has been left shaken by the attack. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Mr Rowdon and the trainer leapt into action, and managed to force the dog to let go of Annabell. 

In that short space of time, both bones in Annabell’s forearm were broken, and she suffered nine deep cuts. 

“One of them was so deep that you could see the bone and gristle,” said Ms Rowdon.  

Annabell was in surgery for five hours on Monday, and may have to have further surgery. She is now at home in Haverhill, but has been left shaken by the attack. 

Her family are angry that the dog was allowed to become so out of control. 

“It’s unacceptable,” said Ms Rowdon. “If it had grabbed her face, or heaven forbid her stomach and caught her internal organs, this could have been an entirely different situation.” 

Ms Rowdon herself is the owner of two huskies. “We are proper dog owners,” she said. “We’re not naïve. We know they can be powerful animals, so we make sure we have the support we need to control our dogs.” 

Her father agrees, saying: "You hear about a child being killed by a dog, but the other children that get maimed and mutilated by these things, you very rarely hear about. 

“People need to be made aware.” 

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “We were called at about 10.20am on Sunday, 11 June, with reports a girl had been bitten by a dog in Linton Road, Horseheath. 

“The eight-year-old girl was taken to hospital with serious injuries. 

“A crime has been raised for allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.”