UNITED KINGDOM -- A disabled pensioner was powerless to prevent a Staffordshire Bull Terrier from killing his beloved dog on an early morning walk.
Walking with two crutches, Keith Rayner, 72, was abandoned by the Staffie's female owner as his dog, Benjy, lay dying on the ground following the savage attack in Savernake Park in Savernake Road on Monday.
The woman dog owner told Mr Rayner, who has had three hip replacements, that she would go and get help but never returned.
Instead, Mr Rayner, who was unable to pick up his fatally injured dog while holding his crutches, was left alone at 6am shouting for assistance.
Mr Rayner, of Robjohns Road, Chelmsford, said: "I needed to help my dog but I couldn't do anything.
"I couldn't pick him up. I was stuck and just left shouting in the park.
"She didn't care about me. Her dog killed Benjy and she didn't even have the courtesy to come back.
"I told her 'I can't move' and she said that she would take her dog away before coming back to help. But she never came back.
"How could you do that to another human being? It's disgusting."
Mr Rayner was taking Benjy, a six year-old Jack Russell, for the first of his two walks. Activities, he says, that help get him out of the house.
Shortly before heading home, the unleashed dark Staffordshire Bull terrier attacked Benjy, who was on his 30ft extendable lead.
For 10 minutes the Staffie repeatedly bit his back and hind legs – before 'locking on' to Benjy.
Mr Rayner beat the Staffordshire terrier with his crutches and the woman tried to release her dog's vice-like grip from one of Benjy's legs.
Eventually, two passing builders and a resident of Savernake Road heard Mr Rayner's screams and came to his assistance – calling the police and wrapping his dying dog in blankets. The police arrived and took Benjy to an emergency veterinary surgey in Witham.
The Jack Russell later died from its injuries.
Mr Rayner and his wife Doreen are "devastated" by the loss of Benjy and, after 47 years of dog ownership, they will never get another one. Mr Rayner said: "I don't think we could put ourselves through this pain again."
Investigating officer Pc Matt Dalby said: "This was an appalling incident. His dog had not a chance against the Staffordshre.
Police want to trace the woman, believed to be in her 30s. She walked away along Writtle Road towards Waterhouse Lane. Call PC Dalby at Chelmsford station on 101.
(Total Essex - October 27, 2011)