A poodle has been left traumatised after suffering puncture wounds in a savage attack by an off-the-lead Staffordshire bull terrier in Dundee.
Toy poodle Patch was walking close to home with his owner, 79-year-old Bill Huchison, when a dark bull terrier came running towards the pair.
Mr Huchison was knocked to the ground, cracking his glasses, as he tried to protect his dog during the attack.
He said: “The dog was in the grass and when it saw us it came belting across the road. Straight away, I knew it was going for Patch.
“I tried to grab its head but it was too quick and I fell over. It bit Patch and the owner just watched it happen.”
Patch managed to break free and run off and Bill asked the female owner to wait while he checked if he was all right. But a minute later she was gone.
The attack took place in Tannadice Street at the junction of Clepington Street at around 1.45pm on Tuesday.
Police are now hunting for the owner who is described as a woman in her 30s with long dark hair.
Bill’s wife Patricia said: “I was fuming. Any big dogs should be kept on a lead or people shouldn’t be allowed out with them.
“I think Staffies are dangerous dogs. Once it has attacked a dog once I believe it will do it again. It could have been a bairn.”
Police appealing for information say the woman was seen to put her dog on a lead after the attack and walk towards Court Street without stopping.
She is described as being 30 to 39, with long black hair and was wearing a brown jacket and dark trousers. The dog was wearing a studded collar.
Anyone with information is asked to phone police on 101.