The dog shot out of the trees – it had its jaws open and was in attack mode

UNITED KINGDOM -- “The most terrifying experience of my life.”

Those were the words of Solihull dog owner Louise Williams, whose pet was savagely mauled by a Staffordshire bull terrier in a borough park.

Poppy, a miniature schnauzer, was attacked as she was being walked in Elmdon Park at around 8.15am last Tuesday.

A local vet saved the pet’s life but distraught Louise, who was also injured as she fought to save her much-loved canine, said Poppy was moments from death.

“What if it had been a small child?”, said the furious 42-year-old, who was this week recuperating at home with her three-and-a-half year-old dog.

West Midlands Police are now investigating the incident.

Mum-of-one Louise said: “I had seen the owner and the dog three weeks ago and asked him to put it on a lead. He was quite cross and said it wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“On Tuesday Poppy was trotting along in front of me on the path when this dog shot out of the trees. It had its jaws open and was heading straight for her.

“It was in attack mode, it had hold of her and wouldn’t let go. The owner shouted at his dog and jumped on top of it and punched it to try to free its jaws. Poppy was covered in blood.”

Louise, a systems analyst in IT, said she eventually freed her badly-injured pet by removing her lead and harness, which the terrier had caught a tooth on, stopping the frenzied animal from piercing Poppy’s flesh further.

“The owner ran away while I was cradling Poppy in my arms,” she said.

“I shouted my address. Perhaps he genuinely wants to come forward. Someone must have seen him running away with two dogs, wearing a white T shirt covered in blood.”

Louise said the dog owner was in his mid-to-late 30s, had light brown hair and was around 5ft 7ins to 5ft 10ins tall.

(Birmingham Mail - Aug 22 2013)