A MOTHER has spoken of her horror after a dog ran into her garden and mauled one of the family's pet ducks to death.
Lucy Hooper is calling on dog owners to keep their pets on a lead when taking them for a walk on Bookham Common, which backs onto their home.
The mother of two said dogs regularly run into her garden, and that her daughter Emily's pet duck, Jemima, was killed last week by a small terrier, whose owner ran off following the attack.
Speaking to the Advertiser, she said: "I was sitting with my daughter in her room and the window was open and we saw this dog run in and go straight for the pond in the garden.
"It grabbed the duck with its teeth and was running around and the worst thing was I shouted to the owner to help and she just ran off.
"My two daughters were extremely upset about it and they went looking for the owner, but they couldn't find her. My husband and I are just really furious that someone would run away like that."
The family had three ducks in their pond, which were bought three months ago for their teenage daughters, who took care of them, leading up to the attack on July 28.
The family has CCTV installed around their home and captured the event. They describe the dog as a small, terrier-like breed of black colour with a hint of grey.
Commonside resident Mrs Hooper added: "The other two ducks seem a bit lost without Jemima. They used to come up to the door and peck if they wanted something, but now we've had to put a fence around the pond. Even when we were putting it up, another dog ran in followed by its owner.
"My husband asked why it wasn't on a lead and the man said it was only a puppy. I think it's irresponsible."
Mrs Hooper said her postman had complained about being regularly attacked by dogs around the common, and that the park ranger had told her a pregnant deer had to be shot after a dog attack.
"We are so blessed to live in this area next to beautiful woodland, but these careless dog owners just let their dogs off the lead," she continued.
"The majority of the dog owners are lovely and really take care of their pets but some are ruining it for the rest."
