DOG owners are being urged to keep their pets on leads after one of the best known and much loved dogs in the Vale was savaged by a pit bull-type terrier.

His owner, Sue Sollis, said it might be a child injured next - if dogs are not kept under control.

George the border terrier, who was her daughter Tracy's adored pet before she died from leukaemia, was on a lead in Common Road with Mrs Sollis when the incident unfolded last Saturday.

The other dog, who was not wearing a collar, leapt on George and sunk it's teeth into the terrier's throat.

Nothing anyone could do, including the dog's owners, succeeded in pulling it off until a resident who had emerged from a nearby house, threw a bucket of water over the animals.

Mrs Sollis said: "The whole experience was very distressing - I thought George would die, and he is so very dear to me.

"No-one could get the other dog off him - its teeth were locked around his neck.

"I released George from his lead and just ran up the road shouting for help.

"The terrier let George go when the water drenched him, and my dog ran for his life."

George, Tracy's constant companion who went everywhere with her including on charity fund raising expeditions, had to be rushed to a veterinary surgeon to be treated for deep puncture wounds and shock.

Mrs Sollis said: "His neck was badly bruised and he had to stay at the vet's for three days. I informed the police who said there was nothing they could do unless I took the owners to court for vet's bills."

Acting Sergeant Tom Iddon said: "There is no law which says dogs must be on leads but owners have a duty of care.

"If they think their dogs can be a problem, then they should take the sensible course and keep it on a lead in public places."