Both sheep dogs were the pride of Urs F. (45) owner of a security firm from Madliswil, Canton Bern: “My dogs were never aggressive. They were used to being around people and were not beasts,” he told Blick newspaper.

Until Sunday, that is, when they mauled his mother Elisabeth (76). It was shortly after 1.30pm, and her son was not at home. Dutch sheep dog Biko (2) and Belgian sheep dog Elena (6) were in front of their kennel by the house.

My mother wanted to lock them in the kennel. Then the dogs attacked her,” said Urs F. The sheep dogs bit the pensioner on the head as well as on the legs and arms. With difficulty, she managed to get away and make it back to the house. She alerted the police, who were also attacked by the dogs.

The emergency services flew Elisabeth F. to hospital in Bern. After an emergency operation the woman is in a critical but stable condition.

“I kept the dogs appropriately. They were not trained to bite,“ he said. But at the local vetinerary clinic, Urs. F is on record because of “breach of animal welfare regulations”, said cantonal vet Reto Wyss. In 2007, he locked his dogs up in a small, dirty and dark room.

Also the local authorities found a dirty kennel. Urs F. is now threatened with prosecution for grievous bodily harm and contravention of animal welfare law. 

“I am worried about my mother and blame myself”, said Urs F. “I am responsible for my dogs. I couldn’t trust them any more. Therefore they were put down.”