(September 2017) United Kingdom: Little Jack Russell dies after Pit Bull attack. Owner of Pit Bull fled with dog; hasn't been found.

UNITED KINGDOM -- A pit bull savaged a much-loved family pet while it was being taken for a walk, leaving it with horrendous injuries which ultimately proved fatal.

The dog, a Jack Russell mix named Marlow, was being taken for a walk at Rice Lane recreation ground in Walton yesterday morning when it was set upon by the animal.

This heartbreaking picture of Marlow was taken

shortly before he was put to sleep

Despite attempts to drag the crazed dog off the defenseless pet, it continued to shake him “like a rat.”

Marlow, who was less than two years old, was being taken for his regular walk in the park by the partner of Mark Baxter, 30, a dad-of-two from Walton.

He said: “My partner’s been left traumatized by what happened and I don’t know how I’m going to break the news to our two kids Marlow won’t be coming home any more.”

Mr Baxter said that although the dog which attacked Marlow was on a lead, it was not being held by the owner, leaving the animal to walk alongside him.

He added: “This large dog just came out of nowhere and clamped its teeth around Marlow’s neck. It threw him violently on the grass and the picked him up again, shaking him like a rat.

“The owner was holding his head in his hands in disbelief at what happened. He made a halfhearted attempt to separate the dogs, but otherwise he didn’t know how to react.

“All he and my partner could do was watch in horror.

“It made it even worse that the pit bull was on a lead but the owner was not actually holding it. The whole situation could have been avoided.”

Other people raced to the scene after hearing the piercing screams of Mr Baxter’s partner, but were too late to do anything.

The owner of the pit bull, meanwhile, walked off and left the scene.

Rest in Peace little guy

Despite Marlow being taken to a vet, and then to an out-of-hours veterinary service, the extent of the dog’s injuries was so severe that Mr Baxter decided the best thing to do was put the dog to sleep.

He added: “The poor little fella had survived all day, but because he had a lot of internal injuries and his rib cage was shattered, I didn’t want him suffering any more.

“I was there with him at the beginning and at the end, when I drove down to the vets’ surgery at 2.30 in the morning to be with him.”

Mr Baxter has reported the incident to police but it is believed the man with the pit bull has still not been found.

Mr Baxter’s vet bills exceeded £600 and he did not have pet insurance.

Merseyside Police were unavailable for comment.

(Liverpool Echo - Sept 23, 2017)