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Owner whose dog died from attack wants compulsory pet insurance Owner whose dog died from attack calls for compulsory insurance
(1 day later)
Joanne Newbury is campaigning for "Murphy's Law" to ensure all pet owners have liability insurance in case of attacksJoanne Newbury is campaigning for "Murphy's Law" to ensure all pet owners have liability insurance in case of attacks
A woman whose cockapoo died following an attack by a larger dog has launched a national campaign calling for mandatory pet insurance. A woman whose cockapoo died following an attack by a larger dog has launched a national campaign calling for mandatory public liability insurance for their pets.
Joanne Newbury from Bedfordshire said pursuing the dog's owner for £3,500 of vet fees had been "absolutely horrific" after Murphy died in June.Joanne Newbury from Bedfordshire said pursuing the dog's owner for £3,500 of vet fees had been "absolutely horrific" after Murphy died in June.
She had been walking him along a country lane when an off-lead dog "went for him", leaving Murphy with fatal injuries.She had been walking him along a country lane when an off-lead dog "went for him", leaving Murphy with fatal injuries.
"I wouldn't want anyone to go through the trauma of this, but also the financial implications – it could ruin someone," she said."I wouldn't want anyone to go through the trauma of this, but also the financial implications – it could ruin someone," she said.
Her own pet insurance covered more than half of the £10,000 vet fees, but she was still left with a bill of £3,500.Her own pet insurance covered more than half of the £10,000 vet fees, but she was still left with a bill of £3,500.
"No one should go through the financial pressure of the other person not having the correct insurance," she said. "No-one should go through the financial pressure of the other person not having the correct insurance," she said.
Murphy the cockapoo was attacked by a dog three times his size, days before his 10th birthdayMurphy the cockapoo was attacked by a dog three times his size, days before his 10th birthday
Ms Newbury had raised Murphy from a pup and said the 10-year-old was "a loving little boy".Ms Newbury had raised Murphy from a pup and said the 10-year-old was "a loving little boy".
The self-employed bookkeeper said: "I work from home, so he was with me all the time. He was quite anxious and just wanted to feel safe and loved."The self-employed bookkeeper said: "I work from home, so he was with me all the time. He was quite anxious and just wanted to feel safe and loved."
She said it was "a normal day" when they took a walk down a country lane, before spotting two large dogs off their leads in a neighbouring field.She said it was "a normal day" when they took a walk down a country lane, before spotting two large dogs off their leads in a neighbouring field.
"I thought I'd avoid the field, as Murphy was anxious," she said."I thought I'd avoid the field, as Murphy was anxious," she said.
"But one of them came charging at him and just went for him. He didn't stand a chance."But one of them came charging at him and just went for him. He didn't stand a chance.
"I was screaming and begging the dog's owner to put it back on a lead.""I was screaming and begging the dog's owner to put it back on a lead."
Warning: this report contains some distressing detailsWarning: this report contains some distressing details
Ms Newbury could see Murphy was bleeding, but the extent of his injuries was not clear until she took him to the animal hospital.Ms Newbury could see Murphy was bleeding, but the extent of his injuries was not clear until she took him to the animal hospital.
Vets discovered four broken ribs, internal bleeding and extensive crush injuries.Vets discovered four broken ribs, internal bleeding and extensive crush injuries.
His back was punctured and the muscle severely torn.His back was punctured and the muscle severely torn.
Despite emergency surgery, Murphy's heart stopped two days later and he passed away.Despite emergency surgery, Murphy's heart stopped two days later and he passed away.
"They hoped he would pull through, but it was too much for him," Ms Newbury said."They hoped he would pull through, but it was too much for him," Ms Newbury said.
"He went through hell.""He went through hell."
Joanne and Murphy became known online after doing a 125-mile fundraising walk for Cancer Research UKJoanne and Murphy became known online after doing a 125-mile fundraising walk for Cancer Research UK
She has now launched a petition calling on the government to introduce "Murphy's Law" - requiring all dog owners to have third-party pet insurance. She has now launched a petition calling on the government to introduce "Murphy's Law" - requiring all dog owners to have liability insurance.
Despite the other dog's owner admitting fault, Ms Newbury said they had refused to cover the cost of Murphy's treatment.Despite the other dog's owner admitting fault, Ms Newbury said they had refused to cover the cost of Murphy's treatment.
"Financially, I think I shouldn't be in this situation when I was responsible and had insurance," she said."Financially, I think I shouldn't be in this situation when I was responsible and had insurance," she said.
"They owned up, went to the police, did what they had to do, but it's all on me to chase everything. It's exhausting, especially while grieving.""They owned up, went to the police, did what they had to do, but it's all on me to chase everything. It's exhausting, especially while grieving."
Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.