A couple who were assaulted for interfering when a gang of youths kicked their dog in the face has described their experience as “terrifying.”
Amber Cole and Adam Stevenson were hospitalised after a ‘brutal’ attack that occurred as they were walking their Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog, Luna, on a Sunday afternoon in Poole, Dorset.
A gang of five children seized Luna and began kicking her, causing the couple to intercede before they were were viciously beaten.
Dorset Police are requesting that any witnesses or anybody with information come forward.
Mum-of-two Amber, age 25, had facial swelling, bruising, and internal damage to her ribs.
Meanwhile, 33-year-old Adam had tissue damage to his foot and a cut above his eye that has created visual issues and may need surgery.
Eight-month-old Luna approached a group of boys believed to be between 13 and 17 years of age, as the couple was out strolling in Bourne Valley Park about 6 p.m.
One of the youngsters held the dog while the other struck her in the face with a kick.
When Amber intervened to stop the teenagers, one of them struck her in the head, while another grabbed her shoulders and kicked her in the chest.
When her companion, Adam, intervened to defend her, the youngsters “jumped on him and threw him to the floor” and repeatedly struck and kicked him.
The gang then fled towards the skate park and Turbary Road.
Recalling the incident, Amber said: ‘There was absolutely no reason for it, my puppy didn’t jump on them or anything.
‘She screamed when they kicked her. I ran up and said ‘get off my dog’ at which point I was smacked in the head a few times.
‘The eldest of the gang grabbed me by the shoulders and started booting me really hard in the chest with the bottom of his shoe.
‘He said he doesn’t care if I’m male or female and that he will kick my head in.
‘It was terrifying. I was just thinking this is going to end badly. It has left me with internal injuries in between my two ribs. I’ve got lots of swelling and bruising on the side of my face.
‘Adam stepped in and they jumped on him and threw him to the floor. They repeatedly punched and kicked him.
‘He has a lot of damage internally to his foot, a laceration above his left eye which has caused vision problems because of the repeated blows he received. His back is pretty nasty too.
‘He has to speak to a facial surgeon because where he was repeatedly punched near the eye, it will require surgery.
‘They were so intent on causing as much damage as they could. Before it rained, there was blood everywhere.
‘My partner lost a lot of blood, his blood pressure dropped. As you can imagine, he is in a lot of pain and discomfort.
‘They thought it was hilarious. The youth today have no respect for other people. They are fully intent on hurting people.
‘It’s a place I take my two young children for walks. My kids won’t understand why they can’t go to the park again.
‘They won’t understand why mummy is all bruised and cut up with lumps and bumps over her. How do I explain that to two young children?’
Amber said she is now too scared to take her children, who were not present at the time of the attack, to the park.
Adam, a cavity wall technician, is on crutches and is currently unable to work following the assault.
He added: ‘They threw me down this bit of a hill with brambles so I’ve got scratches all over my belly and back.
‘I tried to get up but hurt my foot so I couldn’t get my balance and they just kept knocking me down. I tried to block my head as much as I could, I managed to protect my nose but they hit me so many times in the side of the face.
‘It was absolutely brutal.’
Luna also had bruises under her eye and lost some fur.
According to her owners, she is exhibiting indications of trauma and needs more veterinary care.
Anyone with information that might help identify the teenagers is urged to contact Dorset Police.
Police Constable Louis Allen, of Poole police, said: ‘This was a very nasty incident and we are carrying out a full investigation to identify those responsible.
‘I am appealing to anyone who was in the area and witnessed what happened to please get in touch.
‘Also, I am keen to hear from any residents in the vicinity who may have relevant home CCTV footage to help my enquiries.
‘I fully understand this incident will cause concern in the local community and officers from the local neighbourhood policing team can be contacted with any issues or information.’