The 73-year-old woman, who does not want to be named, was walking her 20-month-old pet Otis in Ferrers Road, South Woodham Ferrers, when she noticed a black Staffordshire bull terrier being walked by a young girl.
She picked up her pet but Otis was ripped from her grasp and mauled by the terrier, leaving her covered in blood.
Left with deep gashes to her face and arms while cradling her little dog, the owner of the Staffie abandoned her.
Otis died two days later.
The woman's daughter, Tracie Hunter, said: "Mum's physical injuries are absolutely horrific and although the wounds are healing, the emotional trauma and stress will remain with her.
"The owner of the Staffie is still out there and we are hoping that they are caught before someone else's pet gets brutally attacked."
The attack happened on Saturday, March 3 at 1.45pm, when Otis and his owner were walking on the path opposite Asda petrol station.
Mrs Hunter said: "The next few minutes can only be described as complete trauma and carnage.
"Mum tried desperately to free Otis from the relentless jaws of this vicious dog but to no avail. The girl, who could have been no more than 11, had let go of the leash and stood there screaming.
"A man then emerged from the flats, grabbed hold of the terrier and the little girl, said "I'm sorry" and walked off back into the flats. We can only assume that this was the girl's father and the owner.
"Two ladies passing by helped my mum and we would like to express our sincere thanks. They helped her call my sisters and I and we think they were heroic."
Otis' owner was taken to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, suffering from extensive bites to her hands and arms as well as a split lip.
Otis was taken to Medivet in Southend but died on Monday.
Mrs Hunter said: "What adult in their right mind allows a young girl to walk a Staffordshire bull terrier without supervision?
"What kind of human being leaves a pensioner with blood pouring from her hands and mouth, holding a badly injured dog and just walks away? How can you carry on as normal, knowing the destruction caused by your dog last Saturday afternoon?
"Otis was such a funny dog and adored by mum. He was the reason she got up in the mornings.
"Otis was one in a million – an absolutely adorable cheeky chap with character and we will miss him so very much.
"Mum had him since he was born. She went to Wales to visit a friend whose dog had had puppies and came home with him."
Essex Police said: "We are investigating the incident."
(Essex Chronicle - March 13, 2012)
