Brave dog 'fights off and chases violent robber who struck 86-year-old owner on the head'

Axel, an Alsatian-Akita cross, fiercly protected its owner
File image of Akita dog
pasq_soy_yo/Pixabay
Lucia Binding12 April 2018

A great-grandmother who was allegedly violently attacked by a robber in her own back garden has claimed her heroic dog fought the thug off and chased him away.

Joyce Ackerley, 86, said she was viciously struck over the head with a large stick by the man and knocked to the ground.

She told the Manchester Evening News that her loyal dog Axel – an Alsatian-Akita cross – fiercely jumped on the criminal and pinned him to the ground.

Axel also bit the thug, who was trying to steal his owner's jewels, on the arm and chased him off her premises to protect her, she claimed.

She told the newspaper: “I was opening the gate and the next minute it flew open and he hit me on the head with something like a broom.

“Where I go, Axel goes. When the man grabbed me I must have screamed as he rushed straight up the garden and jumped at the man and knocked him to the floor."

She continued: “When Axel came back from chasing the man he had his blood around his mouth, but he went for a drink so the police couldn’t use it for DNA."

Ms Ackerley said she was "very proud and grateful" to her dog and that "he was spoiled afterwards".

The criminal was described as white, 5ft 5in, aged around 25. He is said to have dark stubble and a dragon or snake tail tattoo stretching from his left forearm to his finger, and he was wearing dark clothing.

Police have since appealed for witnesses to the incident which took place on March 13 at approximately 4pm.

Det Con Steven Hughes said: “This lady was violently assaulted. This incident could have been much worse if her dog hadn’t have stepped in and scared the offender away.”

Anyone with information about the crime has been asked to call police on 0161 856 5471 or 101, quoting incident number 1447 of March 13.

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