Two police officers who did not take part in Monday's "rest and reflect" day were hailed as heroes yesterday after they rescued an elderly woman after she was attacked by a pitbull in Tarouba.However, the officers who put three bullets into the dog, killing it on the spot, were accused of using excessive force by the animal's owner.The incident occurred around 5 pm while pensioner, Poptee Radhay, 68, was walking along Tarouba Road on her way to visit a neighbour. Yesterday a still shaken Radhay thanked the police officers for saving her life.She said: "I am thankful to the police because if they did not come the dog would have killed me."PCs Narine Bisnath and Nicholas Phillips, of the Marabella CID, were patrolling the area when they heard Radhay's screams and saw the dog attacking her.The officers came out of their vehicle and shot the dog.Although she was not injured, Radhay was still taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where she was examined and discharged.
She said she feared for her life when the pitbull pounced on her.She recalled: "I had already passed the dog's home when it came out and rushed me. I leaned up on a car and tried to chase it away because it was barking and jumping up to bite me."The neighbours were watching but no one came to help me because it was a big dog."Radhay said she managed to get away from the pitbull."The same time the police came and I watched as the police dealth with the dog," she said.The dog's owner, who requested anonymity, said he was not home at the time of the incident. However, he did not believe the dog attacked the woman."It is a playful dog. It was a six-month old puppy," he said.The owner said he had secured the dog but apparently the dog got loose and he ran out the gate. He claimed when the police arrived the dog was heading back into the yard.