By Daily Mail Reporter


Injuries: Oscar was the victim of a horrific attack in the street


A pet dog has been blinded after a drunken afternoon attack by a 'scruffy Santa' while the animal was tied up outside a shop.

Oscar, a five-year-old Shih Tzu, was set upon by a middle-aged man as he waited outside the Co-op in Littleborough, Greater Manchester, where his owners were shopping.

Terrified passers-by saw the man, who appeared to be drunk, repeatedly kick the pet.


Oscar's left eye was so badly damaged it had to be removed and he was also left with severe bruising to his ribs and legs.

Owner Rob Nicholson said: 'Oscar was left with really bad injuries.

'It was terrible. He was defenceless because he was tied up. After the attack Oscar wouldn't eat or go out of the house.

'I want to warn other dog owners about what's happened as it is very frightening.'


Family: The Nicholsons are devastated by the plight of their beloved dog


At the time of the attack, which happened in the middle of the afternoon, Oscar was accompanying Mr Nicholson's two children, Max, 10, and Louis, five, and their grandfather David Holden.

Mr Holden and the children saw the attacker but did not dare approach him because he looked drunk and aggressive.

Louis described the attacker as a 'scruffy-looking Santa Claus', who had a white beard and was wearing a red hat.

The man was later seen drinking cans of beer near the cenotaph with a younger man.

RSPCA inspector, Helen Smith, said: 'We want to hear from anyone who saw what happened outside the shop and in particular who can identify the man involved.

'The description we've been given is that the attacker was around 5ft 10in tall, aged around 60 with grey hair. He was unshaven and appeared scruffy.'

Anyone with information is asked to call the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 and leave a message for Ms Smith.


source:dailymail