Fundraising page launched for couple whose puppy was mauled by bullmastiff

James Brise and Sophie Snowball-Brise, of Tring, were left heartbroken after their three month old puppy Mia was so badly injured when it was set upon by an unleashed bullmastiff that she had to be put to sleep.

In another blow they were facing having to use savings set aside for fertility treatment to pay the £5,000 vet bill.

But after being touched by their story, featured on the front page of last week’s Gazette, St Albans accountant Hannah Knight has launched a Go Fund Me page for the couple.

On the page, Hannah says: “I want to help raise some funds to help this lovely couple, who have been through a horrible time.

“Even if it’s just £1 - this couple has had such awful luck and lost so much, let’s do something to put a smile on their faces.”

Both James and Sophie have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support since they shared their tragic story.

“It is really, really nice,” said personal trainer James. “We didn’t really expect this kind of response. It’s amazing.”

The pair are still fighting for action to be taken against the owners of the two bullmastiffs involved in the dog attack, which happened in a field behind Wingrave Road, and say others whose dogs have been hurt have now come forward. “We have got a lot of people coming out of the woodwork now,” said James.

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/fertilityforsophie.