The heavily-tattooed owner ran off with the attacking animal without apologising
Max was mauled to death on Bristol’s Harbourside (Image: Joe McKenna)
A heavily-pregnant woman was left traumatised after her beloved pet was mauled to death in front of her by an out of control dog on Bristol’s Harbourside.
Charlotte Sipson, who is due to give birth in November, was walking her Havanese dog Max near Rolt’s Boatyard on Spike Island with a friend on August 8 when he was suddenly attacked by a much larger animal, which was off its lead with no owner in sight.
After Charlotte and her friend, who had her 14-month old toddler with her, eventually managed to free Max from the attacking dog’s jaws, it began circling some children nearby.
The attacking dog’s owner, who was described as ‘heavily tattooed’ and topless, eventually emerged but ran off with the guilty animal without saying anything or apologising to Charlotte.
Max’s owners Charlotte and Joe have been left heartbroken by the traumatic incident(Image: Joe McKenna)
Charlotte rushed Max to a vets in Imperial Park, Hartcliffe, but he was dead by the time they arrived from a suspected punctured lung.
The shocking incident has left Charlotte’s fiancé Joe McKenna not only concerned about her but also about the impact the attack may have had on their unborn baby.
“She’s in bits,” Joe said. “It was highly traumatic and obviously I’m nervous because of the stress on the baby. For us it’s been quite a big emotional toll.”
Joe said both he and Charlotte were heartbroken their child would never get to meet Max, who was particularly vulnerable as he was 11-years-old and blind as well as much smaller than his aggressor.
“He was the cutest dog, like butter wouldn’t melt,” Joe said.
The exact breed of the guilty animal is not known, but Joe described it as grey, short-haired and ‘massively muscly’.
While Joe couldn’t be sure, he said the dog resembled an XL Bully, a breed banned in the UK which has been responsible for fatal attacks on humans, including the horrific death of 19-year-old Morgan Dorsett in Withywood in February 2025.
With the dog who killed Max apparently still on the loose, Joe said he was worried the next incident it was involved in could be even worse, especially with so many children enjoying the sun during their summer holidays.
Joe said the dog which attacked Max was similar in size and build to an XL Bully, a banned breed(Image: PA)
“I think the main thing we’re scared about is this happening to other people or children,” he said. “Quite frankly… it’s a danger to the public.”
“It’s the summer holidays, the kids are everywhere. It’s been the Balloon Fiesta, so it was super busy and this guy’s still out there with this dog, and that scares me.”
Joe and Charlotte reported the incident to Avon & Somerset Police and Bristol City Council.
A police spokesperson confirmed they were investigating the incident.
“On Saturday morning we received a report that a dog had been attacked by a grey pitbull-type dog at about 4pm the previous day (Friday 8 August) in Hanover Place,” the spokesperson said.
“Sadly, the dog died of its injuries shortly after the incident. No person was injured.”
“The owner of the other dog was reported to have left the scene with the dog after the incident. They are described as white, aged in their 30s, heavily tattooed and about 5ft 9ins tall.”
“Our investigation is under way, and we would ask anyone with any information to call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5225226207.”
The council was also contacted for comment.