A DOG owner has recounted the heart-wrenching moment she feared for her pet's life during a vicious attack in Houghton Green. 

Holly Bennett, from Winwick Park, was out walking her six-year-old golden Labrador Lola with her parents on December 28 at around 4pm when the incident unfolded involving an Irish Blue Staffordshire bull terrier near to Radley Lane.

The 25-year-old said: "As soon as the other dog saw Lola he ran straight towards her from around 50 metres away and latched on to her throat.

"It was one of the most horrific things I have seen.

"The dog wasn't on a lead so we had nothing to grab on to.

"It took about 45 seconds to a minute before we could get the dog off.

"All I could see was blood."

Lola, who has been with the family since she was a pup, is now recovering from the attack.

Holly's dad suffered an injury to his hand which is now healing. 

This is not the first time this dog has been involved in an attack with police investigating another incident in February.

Fellow dog walker Wendy Johnson-Taylor added: "Myself and other dog walkers were petrified of this dog.

"We have lived in fear of being attacked for months. The stories I've been told have given me nightmares."

A number of other dog-on-dog attacks have been linked to the Staffordshire bull terrier.

Police have since confirmed the dog has been seized and put down.

Sergeant Paul Flynn said: “We received a report back in February involving the same Staffordshire bull terrier, officers investigated and followed the appropriate steps at the time. 

"In May, following further concerns from the public, the dog was examined by an expert but was confirmed not to be a banned breed. 

"However, following this second incident, the Staffordshire bull terrier has been voluntarily handed to officers who, in agreement with the owner, has now been put to sleep."

While Holly feels relieved the police have taken the attack seriously she added that the dog had 'paid the ultimate sacrifice'.