A FAMILY told of their terror when their pet dog Sally was attacked by a bird of prey as they walked by the River Wharfe.

The bird, believed to be a Harris hawk, pounced on the Jack Russell, digging its talon into her mouth, gouging her tongue and dragging her about 15 metres towards the river.

Her owner, Anthony Woollacott, of Harper Grove, Sutton-in-Craven, near Keighley, desperately tried to rescue her, during the family’s walk in Lower Grass Wood, Grassington.

His wife Rachel and children Bethany, 13, and Alexander, ten, watched in terror as their dad struggled to free the seven-year-old dog by pushing the huge bird - the Harris hawk can have a wingspan of up to four feet - with his foot.

Even after the hawk released Sally, it continued to follow the terrified family until it eventually responded to its owner on the other side of the river.

“The bird came from nowhere. We didn’t know what had hit us. It lifted Sally off the path and dragged her down the river bank,” said Rachel.

“Sally was trying to fight back as hard as she could but I really thought we were going to lose her. We’d seen the owner across the river - he was wearing a glove - and had shouted for him to call the hawk off. He was whistling but it didn’t seem to be interested. Anthony managed to get the bird off Sally but as we walked away it followed us. I was petrified and the children were crying.”

Sally was taken to Ashlands vets in Cross Hills, near Keighley, and only then did the family realise how badly injured she was. She had a talon hole in her gum and serious injuries to her tongue. She was having to take water by syringe and soft food, said Rachel.

Rachel said: “We’ve done research on these huge birds and found that you do not need a licence. Attacks are becoming more common. I think walkers, especially those with small children and dogs, need to be aware of this danger.”

Ashlands veterinary surgeon Sam Burnell, who treated Sally after the attack, said: “I have never before heard of an attack on a dog by a hawk in the 14 years I have been in practice, so it has to be rare.

“Sally had some serious injuries but we expect her to make a full recovery.”

The Harris hawk is a popular bird for use in falconry because it is easy to train.