Sand beast

Sand Beasts were formidable-looking (though apparently harmless) creatures native to Dido. While stranded on that planet, Vicki befriended a Sand Beast, which she named Sandy. When the Doctor's TARDIS landed on Dido, Barbara Wright used a flare gun to kill Sandy, thinking it was going to hurt Vicki, who was greatly upset at the creature's death. (DW: The Rescue)