Dog who was family's 'best friend' mauled to death by greyhounds in attack which left 14-year-old boy 'traumatised'

The attack left the dog so badly injured the West Lothian family were not allowed to see its body before it was cremated

Rudi, who was one and a half when he was killed (Photo: Contributed)

A beloved family pet was viciously mauled to death by two dogs only a week after its owner had been warned to avoid the greyhounds.

Emily Hempseed's beloved Maltese dog Rudi was killed when it was attacked by two greyhounds in a play area close to Calderwood in East Calder.

Despite the attack which left Rudi so badly mauled the family were told they couldn't see him before he was cremated, Police Scotland told the family there was nothing they could do.

Emily Hempseed with her dog, Rudi, who was killed in a dog attack in East Calder (Photo: Contributed)

However, 18-year-old Emily has launched an online petition calling for police to reassess the case and for improvements in how they dealt with the family after the tragedy.

'Completely traumatised'

The incident took place while Emily's 14-year-old brother, Harry, was walking Rudi in a park close to their home in East Calder on Friday 31 January.

Coming across the two greyhounds, both of which appeared muzzled and on leads, the dogs managed to get loose of their dog walker and made a beeline for Rudi.

The attack was so brutal Harry has been left having nightmares, hearing Rudi's "last screams" every night.

"My little brother was completely traumatised having witnessed it all," said Emily. "He will probably need counselling.

"I was really shocked to find out the week before that the dogwalker had warned me to keep Rudi away from the two greyhounds.

"They should never have been able to get out of their muzzles and off their leads."

'All he wanted to do was love us'

She added that she felt let down by how police officers treated her family after the attack.

Emily said: "When the police left they had just argued with my Dad and said there is nothing we can do.

"We asked for the dogs to be removed from the community and they said what would that do?"

For the Hempseed family they now have to deal with life without their "best friend" Rudi.

Emily said: "He was one of our best friends, all he wanted to do was love us and we loved him back unconditionally.

"The community have been really great and supportive and everyone who comes round says how nice a dog he was, and he really was.

The petition to have the case reopened by the Procurator Fiscal has reached nearly 1,000 signatures.

Police Scotland were contacted for comment.