Three frontline ambulance workers have bravely shared their harrowing experience of being attacked by a patient’s dog while responding to an emergency call in Leicester in August 2023. Paramedics Asha Patel, and Rebecca Dunn, and student paramedic Cerys Hughes recount the terrifying incident, shedding light on the challenges they face in the line of duty.

The dog’s owner, Pradipkumar Dayal, 55, who has no fixed abode, was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court last week to 25 months in prison. Dayal faced charges that included three counts of possession of a dangerously out-of-control dog. Additionally, he was disqualified from keeping a dog indefinitely. Dayal was also sentenced for separate charges of common assault, criminal damage, cultivation of cannabis, and two counts of possession of cannabis.

The incident occurred when Asha and Cerys initially responded to an emergency call using one of their fast-response vehicles. Rebecca joined later to assist in transporting the patient to the hospital in an ambulance.

Upon their arrival at the scene, the dog was initially secured within the property. However, without warning, the dog was released, and it subsequently attacked Cerys as they escorted the patient out of the house. The dog pursued Cerys into the garden, barking, jumping up, and biting her, causing her to fall.

Rebecca intervened, placing herself between Cerys and the dog, successfully regaining control of the situation and returning the dog to the patient. Shockingly, the dog was released again, chasing Cerys out of the garden. Asha and Rebecca rushed to help their colleague, and all three struggled to restrain the aggressive dog. Desperate to find safety, Cerys and Rebecca were forced into a neighbouring property’s garden.

The relentless attack continued, and the paramedics fought desperately with the dog until the police arrived to assist. During the attack, Rebecca sustained severe injuries to her chest, shoulder, arm, and legs, which required hospitalization and surgery. Even after more than 150 days, she is still unable to return to her work.

Rebecca recalled the terrifying incident, stating, “The memory of that day will never leave me. I remember my legs being bitten, and I could feel the flesh ripping, but the adrenaline masked the pain. The realization that the dog wasn’t going to stop, and I had no way of defending myself, was the scariest thing I have ever experienced.”

Cerys, who is in the first year of her paramedicine degree, also shared her perspective: “I’m not sure any of us believed we were all going to make it out alive that night. If it wasn’t for Rebecca helping me to stand and physically shielding me from the relentless mauling, I think I would have been killed.”

Asha, who suffered minor physical injuries and experienced a deterioration in her mental health, added, “The emotional and physical trauma caused by this unprovoked, horrifying attack will remain with me forever. The events, emotions, and screams of my colleagues from that morning are constantly on my mind.”

The attack on these dedicated paramedics highlights the risks they face while providing critical care to those in need. Between December 2022 and November 2023, a total of 1,259 assaults, including physical violence and verbal harassment, were recorded against East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) staff and volunteers. In Leicestershire, there has been a troubling 59% increase in recorded incidents from April 2023 to November 2023 compared to the same period the previous year.

To enhance safety, EMAS equipped all frontline colleagues with Body Worn Cameras in 2022. In November 2023, footage from 62 incidents was shared with the police to support investigations.

Ben Holdaway, Director of Operations, emphasized, “Our colleagues work hard every day to help people across the East Midlands, and it’s unacceptable that they face harm and threats during the course of their duties. We take a zero-tolerance approach to incidents such as these and will do all we can to support investigations.”

He also acknowledged the lasting impact of such traumatic events on the paramedics and assured them of ongoing support from the local leadership team.