Brighton dog attack: Fundraiser launched as cavapoo has more surgery

Hugo, a two-and-a-half-year-old cavapoo, was savaged by two American XL bulldogs while on a walk in Eaton Place, Kemp Town, last week.

He has been at Coastway Vets in Freshfield Way since where he has undergone multiple life-saving surgeries.

So far, Louise and her partner have paid almost £4500 for Hugo’s treatment.

“We had no idea of the frightening escalation of costs,” Louise told The Argus.

The cavapoo had initial surgery to repair the wound on his neck. Then he suffered a severe infection when his body rejected the tissue that vets tried to repair his neck wound with.

Vets at Coastway operated again last night to prevent complications which could lead to deadly sepsis.

Louise said: "They did not want to operate again but were left with no choice.

“Thankfully, Hugo made it through the surgery yesterday and has responded well so far.”

Hugo was badly injured in the attack last week (Image: Louise)

Hugo now has a hole in his neck, which should close up in a week but could take as long as a month which will be “unaffordable” for Louise and her partner.

“I rang my dog walker sobbing, we just did not know what to do,” Louise told The Argus.

Kaya Draper, Hugo’s groomer from Raze The Woof in Mill Lane, Portslade, and Libby Jones, Hugo's walker started the fundraiser to help out.

Writing on the GoFundMe page, Kaya said: “Louise and her partner have covered the vet fees up until now but Hugo still needs a lot more treatment and the costs are significant."

Louise said the fundraiser page is not something she feels “completely comfortable” with, but said she has “no choice.”

Hugo will need to stay at the vets for at least a few more days and according to Louise costs are averaging £500 a day.

• READ MORE: Owners of mauled cavapoo say they have been ‘let down’ by police

Initially the fundraising target was set at £5,000, but yesterday’s surgery, sedation, swab and medication cost £1,120 alone.

Now the target has been raised to £7,000.

Appearing on LBC yesterday morning, the owner of the dogs which attacked Hugo agreed to pay Hugo’s vet bills.

However, since then the owner Louise, who does not want to give her surname, has had no contact with him.

Hugo, two-and-a-half, is recovering in Coastway Vets (Image: Louise)

Louise and her partner, on advice of other dog owners, decided not to insure Hugo when they got him back in 2020.

Instead, they put money aside each month in case Hugo needed treatment at any point.

“Of course, we could never have prepared for this,” said Louise.

“We followed advice of friends and other owners who told us how difficult it can be to claim.”

At the time of writing, the fundraiser for Hugo has reached over £5,800.

Louise and her family have been visiting Hugo every day (Image: Louise)

Louise said: “There are no words to describe our gratitude.

“Thank you is not enough.

“To see that goodness prevails has been so heartwarming, and we will pay it forwards when the community needs us in the future.”

• For those who wish to donate, the fundraiser can be accessed here: https://gofund.me/b2094714