Mary Redfern, 77, from Castleford, was visiting Wigginton with her seven-year-old Lhasa Apso Pippa, and was sitting with friends outside Costa Coffee at Clifton Moor on Saturday when her dog was attacked by what witnesses said was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
She said: "I was in such shock, all I could see was Pippa hanging from this dog's mouth. People around me were screaming and shouting and I just sort of blanked it out I was just in shock. I was just looking at Pippa wondering how she would survive.
"She had an operation and all her face stitched up. One side of her face was ripped, it was awful. She's picking up a bit now but a bit more wary."
Elaine Brookes, from Nether Poppleton, was sat with Mrs Redfern when the dog was attacked, and said the attack lasted for several minutes before the owner of the larger dog broke it up.
Mrs Brookes said: "Pippa wasn't doing anything, just sat there and this dog just went for her. It was awful, I've never seen anything like it.
"The owner didn't do anything he was standing at arm's length with the lead fully stretched. He was just doing nothing, absolutely nothing, he just stood there. Half the people came out from Costa telling him to release the dog.
"He eventually did, but this couple stood at the door and told him the dog should be put down or muzzled and this bloke approached them and I don't know what he said to them but he was definitely in their faces and threatening them."
Pippa underwent surgery at the nearby Vets4Pets, and will undergo further treatment.
Mrs Brookes said: "This bloke was just horrible he never apologised or anything. He just walked away.
"The whole thing was a savage attack, there's no other word for it, I have never seen anything like that at all and for the owner not to do anything about it is disgusting. I know these types of dog have got a bit of a reputation but I think it mainly falls onto the owner and he just can't be a very good owner."
A police spokesman said the pit bull terrier-type dog had been seized by police, who were investigating whether any criminal offence had taken place, or if it is a civil matter.
He said: "The owner of the pit bull, an 18-year-old man from York, was arrested at 3.45pm the same day in connection with the incident. Following questioning he was released on police bail to allow time for further enquiries. The dog has been retained by the police while the investigation continues.
"Witnesses or anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Investigation Hub York."
(The Press, York - Jul 18, 2015)
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