Woman loses part of her lip after dog attack at vets

Ellen Grace with her daughter and dog Daisy.
-Credit:Ellen Grace / SWNS


A mum took her dog for a routine check-up, only to have part of her lip bitten off by her own pet. Ellen Grace, 43, suffered severe facial injuries caused by her dog, Daisy, while the distressed dog was having a check-up.

Ellen owns a coffee van, but has been unable to work due to the trauma. She is now raising awareness about the importance of proper procedures to prevent similar incidents.

Ellen said: “If things were handled differently, I don’t think this would have happened, it was awful.”

READ MORE: Airbnb host baffled by 'ominous' message from woman booking room for husband

READ MORE: 'People call daughter's car dinner habit strange - but she can't wait until she gets home'

ADVERTISEMENT

Daisy, a German Shepherd-Rottweiler cross, was taken to Stellar Vets in Littlehampton, West Sussex, for a check-up after showing signs of distress and not eating properly.

Warning: Some of the images below may cause distress.

Ellen, from Littlehampton said: “She’d been jumping up at car wheels, and I wanted to make sure she was OK.”

The vet attempted to muzzle Daisy upon arrival, but Ellen claims he failed to secure it properly. “I said, ‘It doesn’t look like it’s on properly,’ but he insisted it was fine,” Ellen claims.

Dog Daisy
-Credit:Ellen Grace / SWNS

As the vet examined Daisy she became increasingly distressed, wriggling and yelping in pain. Daisy then managed to slip out of the muzzle before jumping up and biting Ellen on the lips.

Ellen said: “I didn’t realize the extent at first but then I looked down and there was just blood everywhere.” A significant portion of Ellen’s bottom lip was missing, and her top lip suffered major lacerations.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ellen was t hen rushed to A&E, where her injuries were cleaned and treated. She was later transferred to Chichester Hospital’s maxillofacial department, where her lip was stitched up.

Ellen's severe injuries
-Credit:Ellen Grace / SWNS

Ellen said: “I fainted halfway through and came round with an oxygen mask on me – it was excruciating.” The police were informed, and a dog handler assessed Daisy. Ellen says police confirmed Daisy was not dangerous, and that the incident was a result of the dog being in a high stress situation.

Ellen says the veterinary practice has questions to answer – particularly with regards to her claim that the muzzle was not put on properly. Ellen said: “They didn’t even call to check if I was okay,”

When she emailed on January 2 to express her disgust and mention legal action, the vet claimed such an incident had never happened in 35 years and offered an apology. She has since reported the incident to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and sought legal advice.

Ellen's dog, Daisy, bit her during a vet check-up
-Credit:Ellen Grace / SWNS

The physical scars are permanent, with part of her bottom lip missing and her lips stretched during surgery to close the wounds. She has said her mental health has also been impacted.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I haven’t left the house for two weeks – it’s been so traumatic,” she said.

Determined to prevent similar incidents, she is raising awareness about the importance of proper procedures and safety measures in veterinary clinics. “This should never happen to anyone else,” she said.

Stellar Vets have been approached for comment.