DOG owners in Callands claim that they, and their pets, are too afraid to walk around the neighbourhood because they are being terrorised by two dogs.

And Cathy Clements, who runs the Swan Sanctuary on St David's Drive, is so concerned about the situation that she has called a public meeting next week to decide what should be done.

Cathy, aged 45, has three dogs - a Bichon Frise and two chihuahuas - and she is worried for the safety of not only pets in the Callands area, but also young children on the playground.

She said: "We're getting to the stage where we're desperate for something to be done.

"We're worried that these two dogs, which are roaming the streets without their owner, are going to injure somebody. Why are people waiting for someone to get hurt before they do something about it?"

Cathy, who has lived in Callands for more than 20 years, says that people have resorted to taking their dogs in their cars to walk them at other parks in Warrington.

She added: "This situation has been going on for about four or five weeks and it's affecting the whole of the estate.

"It's got to the stage where people just won't go out or they take their dogs to Walton Gardens, where they know they will be safe.

"People are ringing me up and knocking on my door because they know that I'm prepared to take action and I'm hoping that this meeting next week will encourage everyone to work together."

The public meeting will take place at Callands Community Centre on Monday evening, June 16, at 7pm.

Sgt Joanna Buckley, from the community action team which covers Callands, said: "If there are dogs that are loose then I would advise people to contact their local dog warden.

"If these dogs are considered to be a risk or a danger to the public, then owners should also contact the police."