A shocking incident unfolded last Thursday when Maud, a tiny two-year-old Jack Russell belonging to Tom Parker Bowles, was viciously attacked by a massive Cane Corso on Kensington High Street.
The incident left the little dog fighting for her life and sparked questions about public safety in central London.
Parker Bowles recounted the harrowing ordeal, describing how he had to wrestle the 10-stone mastiff off Maud as it clamped its jaws around her soft white belly.
Only after kicking the dog did he manage to free her and rush her to a nearby veterinary clinic.
Tracing the Mastiff to a £30 Million Property
Investigations have linked the aggressive Cane Corso to a luxurious mansion on one of London’s priciest streets, owned by Maria Leung, the glamorous ex-wife of controversial Chinese mining tycoon Chiu Tao.
The two-year-old mastiff is one of two Cane Corsos kept at the residence as guard dogs.
Ms. Leung, 56, has an impressive career history, having worked in Hong Kong television, corporate PR, and later as a consultant for CST Group, the Cayman-registered mining empire formerly run by her billionaire ex-husband.
She was unavailable for comment, and a staff member at the property declined to speak about the dogs.
Lavish Renovations and High-End Security
Land Registry documents reveal that Leung purchased the mansion for £30 million in 2021.
Since then, she has transformed it into a full luxury compound, adding a vast basement, private swimming pool, garden conservatory, and a bespoke garage block.
Photographs seen by the Mail show the mastiff involved in Maud’s attack, and local walkers report the dog is well-known in the neighborhood, kept behind the mansion’s high walls.
The mastiff is typically walked by staff, and residents exercise caution when passing the property.
Parker Bowles’ Account and Recovery of Maud
Parker Bowles shared how Maud received emergency care, including surgery, antibiotics, and painkillers, and spent time recuperating at local veterinary practices before returning home.
Despite the trauma, he emphasized his belief that the dog itself was not to blame, focusing responsibility on the owner.
“I don’t want the dog put down, and I’m not pressing charges,” Parker Bowles said.
“But I do want powerful breeds like this to be muzzled in public.
These dogs are brilliant protectors in their natural environment, but on a Central London street, they are incredibly dangerous.”
Concerns About Cane Corsos and Public Safety
Cane Corsos, once rising in popularity as “status dogs,” have been involved in several attacks, yet there is no current legal requirement for them to be muzzled in public.
This contrasts with the XL Bully breed, which is now strictly regulated.
Local dog walkers, who know the mastiff well, confirm they deliberately avoid the property.
One passer-by described the attack: “It was clear the man walking the larger dog didn’t have control.
The little dog could have been completely destroyed. Thankfully, she’s now on the mend.”
Controversial Family Background
The mansion’s former owner, Chiu Tao, remains a divisive figure in Hong Kong’s mining sector, with a history of shareholder disputes, regulatory sanctions, and environmental violations.
CST Group still holds significant assets, including £19 million in Scottish property.
Calls for Responsible Ownership
Parker Bowles concluded with a plea for responsibility: “If just one potentially dangerous dog is muzzled because of Maud, she won’t have suffered in vain.
Owners must control, train, and supervise their pets—nothing else matters.”
As Maud continues her recovery, the incident highlights the delicate balance between luxury, high-profile lifestyles, and public safety in London’s elite neighborhoods.
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