Queen Camilla’s son, Tom Parker Bowles, has spoken of the terrifying moment his Jack Russell, Maud, was attacked by a much larger dog while the pair were out walking in west London.
The food writer, 50, recounted the ordeal on Thursday after his pet was left requiring major surgery, describing the attack as one of the most distressing experiences of his life.
He later turned to Instagram to describe what happened and to thank Londoners who stepped in.
“Yesterday, on that most unseasonally warm and sunny of November days, I was walking my darling Jack Russell, Maud, down Kensington High Street on her lead,” he said.
“We saw a vast dog, ahead, possibly a Cane Corso, on a metal chain lead.
“And passed it very carefully, giving it a hell of a lot of room.
“But it spotted Maud, dragged the owner off his feet and brutally attacked her.”
Parker Bowles explained the animal which targeted Maud weighed an estimated 15 stone, much more than his own dog’s two stone.
Tom Parker Bowles took to social media to detail the terrifying dog attack
|GETTY
“It seemed like hours, but was probably no more than thirty seconds,” he said, calling the struggle “desperate” and one he feared would end tragically.
Maud was rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic, where she has remained under close care following extensive injuries.
Parker Bowles said the ordeal had been harrowing but that his dog was showing resilience.
“She is still in the emergency vet, but she is a fighter and everything is crossed. Her vital signs are stable, touch wood,” he said.
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Tom Parker Bowles showed his dog Maud on social media
|On Saturday, he updated his followers, letting them know: “Maud was allowed back home this afternoon after two nights @villagevetlond where she was wonderfully looked after.”
He used the incident to call for firmer restrictions around bigger dogs, urging owners to take responsibility for breeds with powerful physical strength.
He continued: “Anyway, the point of this horrible story is to say that dangerous dogs like this should always be muzzled. Always.
“Although I am a great believer in there being no bad dogs, rather bad owners.
“I want to thank all the lovely people, of every creed and colour, who rushed to help,” he said.
Tom Parker Bowles has called for bigger restrictions on dangerous dogs after the attack
|GETTY
“The old man who hit the dog with his stick as it continued to attack.
“The kind lady who whistled like a navvy to hail a cab to get me to the emergency vet.
“The cab drivers who ferried me across town. And the brilliant vet who saved her life.”
Messages of support quickly followed, Jemima Khan wrote: “So sorry for poor Maud. Please keep us posted.”
Olly Smith added: “Sending all the greatest vibes to Maud and a massive hug to you.”
Candice Brown said: “Sending so much love to Maud and all of you.”
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