A SPA family is coming to terms with the loss of their much-loved pet terrier who was killed by a larger dog at the same place as a young girl was attacked a few months before.

Teddy, a lovable 11-year-old Yorkshire terrier, didn't stand a chance as the other dog, thought to be a Japanese akita, ripped into him at Worcestershire County Council's Countryside Centre.

Teddy's owners Margaret and Alan Snelson, of Ploughman's Way, Droitwich Spa, say the incident has ruined their lives.

Mrs Snelson, aged 66, said: "I just can't block out the memory. He didn't die straight away. He died a couple of hours later at the vet's. It was horrible.

"I have been to that park hundreds of times over the years and had no problems. Alan and me are absolutely devastated.

"Teddy was our life for eleven years - we took him everywhere.

"Now all that has been snatched away. He wasn't ready to die. The whole thing has just left me in an absolute mess and has ruined our lives," she added.

The incident happened on Tuesday, May 16, at the popular Worcester beauty spot. A similar dog was also responsible for an attack in April when a young girl was bitten on the face.

The Snelsons, who were in the park with their three-year-old granddaughter Anna, were unsure about the breed of dog until they went to buy a Yorkshire terrier puppy shortly after the attack.

Mrs Snelson added: "The owners had a Japanese akita and it was exactly like the dog that killed Teddy, although the one in the park was darker."

Andy Maginnis, countryside estate manager for Worcestershire County Council, said: "I cannot comment on what we believe to be this specific dog, as it is currently under police investigation.

"The police have powers to deal with dangerous dogs and we have to defer to their expertise.

"However, if we were to discover that an individual dog had behaved in a dangerous manner or in a way that was unacceptable to other park users, we would ask the dog's owner to take appropriate measures.

"This could include not bringing the dog to the park or muzzling their pet when they visit."

A spokesman for South Worcestershire police said that under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1871, if a dangerous dog and its owner were identified then an order could be put on the owner to control the dog, otherwise it would be destroyed.