Rachel Edwards, of Fryerning Lane, Ingatestone, was walking her dog Suzy, a standard schnauzer, through the park with two of her children, Frankie, one, and Reggie, four, when she spotted the Alsatian about 50 metres away.
"The owner did not seem to have any control over her dog," she said.
"Eventually I managed to get Suzy and the children away from the lady and her dog. At the time, my primary concern was the safety of the children.
"I was very shaken, as was my four-year-old, who had been knocked over during the incident. I just wanted to get us away from the dog and so did not get the owner of the dog's details.
"Fortunately my children were not physically hurt in this incident but it was extremely frightening. I would never let a dog off the lead like that."
The attack happened at 9.45am on Thursday last week in Admirals Park, Chelmsford.
Mrs Edwards was not aware of the extent of Suzy's injuries at the time.
"By the time we returned home, Suzy was bleeding from her right thigh and in a great deal of pain so I took her straight to the vet," she said.
"She was put under a general anaesthetic where numerous other injuries were discovered – to her face, thigh, spine and leg, some superficial but some deep, and one requiring a drain.
"The vet bill totalled £575. Fortunately, Suzy is going to be OK but she is very unsettled, distressed and in a lot of pain.
"She has gone from a very happy dog to moping around the house all day.
"We do not yet know how she will be affected psychologically."
Mrs Edwards has not reported the attack to the police because she does not have the owner's details.
She told the Gazette she is desperate for the owner of the Alsatian, or anyone who knows her, to come forward with their details.
Mrs Edwards described the owner as a woman who is about 70 years old, with dark brown, straight, bobbed hair.
If you have any information call the Brentwood Gazette on 01245 600700.
(Brentwood Gazette - Nov 3, 2011)
