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A vicious pitbull barged into a north Dublin woman’s kitchen and attacked her before savaging her beloved dog Fifi after the loyal little pup sprang to her defence.

Tragically, the little Jack Russell was brutally mauled to death in mere minutes as she loyally fought to defend her distressed owner.

Valerie told how she was enjoying a quiet St Patrick’s Day morning in her Portmarnock home when in a horror moment, her life changed forever.

She described how the snarling dog came into her kitchen and “went for her”, prompting loyal Fifi to spring to her defence.

Fighting back tears, the heartbroken mum of three told Dublin Live: “It was terrifying. I had to pick my poor little babba's intestines off the floor. We're all devastated.

“I was mopping the kitchen, and I was mopping towards the back door as you do so I had the door into the back garden open. I was stepping out into the back garden and this big dog just jumped on my back.

“Obviously I had no idea he’d got into our garden - we're very close to the beach and we heard afterwards that he'd attacked other two dogs prior to that.

"We're not sure if the dog somehow escaped from his owner while out for a walk or if it just managed to escape from his house. We know who owns the dog. He lives nearby.

“My partner Jim sprained his foot trying to save Fifi. Afterwards a group of locals managed to catch the dog and they had it in a cage - my son was there and took a photo of it, and it looked so innocent - obviously it's anything but innocent.

“I watched him shake my little babba around like a ragdoll. I had to pick up little Fifi’s intestines. It’s just so heartbreaking. She’s such a beautiful dog.

“It happened around ten to 11 and by midday, the guards had arrived from Malahide. They were fantastic, I have to say.

"We learnt then that the same dog had attacked another two small dogs just up the road at the beach before he got into our garden, which is close by.

"I’ve heard that at least one of those other dogs was badly hurt as well, but sadly ours is now dead.

“Fifi was our beautiful dog. We had her thirteen years and she was a rescue dog who was attacked herself as a babba. We’re just heartbroken.

“When the dog jumped on top of me Fifi just had to protect me. The poor little pet never stood a chance."

Val said that poor Jim, a mechanic, was now laid up on the couch and unable to work because of his foot. He was afraid to go to hospital last night because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

The couple today told Dublin Live they didn't sleep a wink becuase they were so distraught. They had only lost their other dog, a collie called Jet who was also a rescue dog, a couple of months ago.

A Garda spokesman confirmed that gardai at Malahide attended the scene of a dog attack at Golf Links Road in Portmarnock. They said the "investigation is ongoing and inquiries are being made".

It's not known what has happened to the dog that attacked Fifi or the other dogs on the beach.

Dublin Live has contacted Fingal County Council for confirmation.

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