Des Harding, 70, was walking with his wife and two dogs near Reddenhill Road when a 'pit bull type' animal attacked one of his pets.
The larger dog had been tied to a lamppost but slipped its chain, ran over and wrapped its jaws around the Jack Russell's neck.
As Mr Harding, who suffers from emphysema, tried to get the dog off he fell, injuring his knee and shoulder. He also suffered a bite wound to his arm.
When police arrived he was told there was nothing they could do because he had intervened in a dog fight.
He is angry that police failed to act against the dog owner and that he has been made to feel the incident was his fault.
He said: "It wasn't a fight, the dog ran over and picked my dog up by the neck. I was trying to save my animal.
"I picked the dog up because it was shaking her. It was horrendous.
"I had the dog in an arm-lock and all of a sudden I was on the floor.
"The owner of the other dog appeared and was trying to pull his dog's jaws open."
The couple had been on their way to catch a bus to Totnes to celebrate his wife's birthday when they saw the dog by the lamppost waiting for its owner.
Wife Sylvia Harding, 63, said: "The dogs were barking at each other when the animal broke loose and attacked my little dog.
"The owner came rushing out and barged my husband out of the way and onto the floor. He didn't say anything."
Mr Harding was treated at the scene by ambulance as he struggled to catch his breath.
His dog, Daisy Mai, needed a staple in her neck.
The couple have been left to pick up the £52 vet bill.
"We want to take the owner to court because this dog is dangerous," says Sylvia.
"It was not secure. But as it stands there is nothing we can do because the police say it was a dog fight."
A police spokesman confirmed no further action would be taken.
"It only becomes a police matter if the dog or animal attacked a person," he said.
"But the owner of the animal has been advised to consider putting a muzzle on."
(Herald Express - Dec 10, 2011)
