Thomson managed to lift Chiko by his harness and raise him above his head when the attacking dog latched on to Thomson’s arm.
After attempting to get in the car, the dog jumped up at Thomson again, which made Chiko slip out of his harness and continue to be mauled.
“I didn’t want the dog ripping my dog to bits… I jumped on it to stop him rag-dolling Chiko,” Thomson said.
“I just grabbed the collar and the side of his head so he wouldn’t rip him anymore.”
Whanganui District Council regulatory and compliance operations manager Jason Shailer said the council was aware of the attack and the attacking dog had been impounded.
“As the matter is currently under investigation, it would be inappropriate for the council to comment further at this time,” he said.
The attack left Chiko with a broken back leg in two places and multiple bite wounds in the hind legs and underbelly.
Chiko underwent surgery on August 28 for his broken hind leg. Photo / Fin Ocheduszko Brown
Chiko underwent surgery to save his back leg on August 28 and is healing well, Thomson said.
“It’s a slow process at the moment… he may never walk the same again,” he said.
Thomson was also injured. A bite to his thumb has left it disfigured and he suffered a bite wound on his left arm.
He required a night in hospital to get a skin graft on his arm wound and is undergoing physiotherapy for his thumb, which has limited movement.
The neighbour who intervened also suffered bite wounds.
Thomson said the attack was “scary” but he had to save his dog.
“He’s my best mate; he’s like my little son with four legs,” he said.
“He’s the world to me, I couldn’t let it happen. I’d have never lived with myself if he got ripped up by a dog like that.
“In the end, I think we are pretty lucky to get away with what we did. We’re still here.”
Thomson said there was a roaming dog problem in Whanganui.
“It’s shocking, it shouldn’t be like this. I always say, it’s irresponsible dog owners, it’s not the dogs,” he said.
“Something’s got to be done. Don’t buy puppies if you don’t want a dog.”
A Givealittle page was set up by Thomson’s family to help cover Chiko’s surgical costs.
Thomson said he was grateful for the support shown, financially and online.
“There are good people in the world,” he said.
Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.