Call to honour brave rescuers

A MOTHER whose teenage son almost had his arm ripped off by an American bulldog has called for his rescuers to be nominated for a bravery award.

Suzanne Henderson, 37, said doctors had confirmed her son, Nicky, would have died from blood loss had it not been for the actions of two neighbours.

Donna Squires and Katie Johnston forced open the dog's jaws with broomsticks as it ripped through the 13-year-old's arm last Thursday. The incident, at Gilmerton Dykes Drive, saw Nicky thrown around the garden for 10 minutes.

A third rescuer, who wishes to remain anonymous, helped Nicky after he was released.

The youngster was left with a severed artery and exposed underarm bone. Several nerves and a chunk of muscle were shredded, and Nicky now needs several operations and a skin graft to repair the injury.

Today, Ms Henderson, from Priesthill, in Gracemount, said she was "eternally grateful" to his rescuers. She said: "Doctors have told me that Nicky could have died of blood loss if they hadn't lifted up his arm. It's a miracle he didn't lose his arm.

"I feel that Donna and Katie should be commended for what they did. They basically saved his life."

From his hospital bed, Nicky added: "They've both been round to see me. As soon as I get out of here I'm going to go and see them and take some flowers. I'd like to give them the award, too."

Ms Johnston, 46, who has three children of her own, said: "I could hear a lot of noise. I thought it was a fight, but then I looked out my window and saw it was serious.

"Donna and I went running out of our houses at the same time and picked the brooms up. It's like we knew what the other one was going to do. We kept talking to him so he wouldn't fall unconscious."

Ms Squires, 45, said: "It would be nice if we got an award, but we didn't do anything special. Any mother would have done what we did. I'm scared of dogs but you have no choice in that kind of situation."

Ms Henderson now intends to contact police to suggest that the pair are nominated for an award. Nicky is due to undergo a skin graft operation on Saturday. It is thought that his arm will not be able to function properly for two years.