Dog owner John Capstaff-Taylor has told how his Jack Russell was left fighting for her life after she was attacked by a black Alsatian while on a walk.

He and his wife Judy are now facing a vet’s bill of at least £700 because the Alsatian’s owner ran off, taking her dog with her.

Mr Capstaff-Taylor, 70, who lives with his wife Judy in Liddington Way, Trowbridge, was taking Poppy for a walk in a field near Drynham Lane at 9.30am last Wednesday when the attack happened.

He said he allowed Poppy to run back to the car as normal and was climbing over a fence into Drynham Lane when the Alsatian, which was on an extendable leash, started tearing into her.

He said: “Poppy was in the middle of the lane when this woman’s dog just attacked her. The owner didn’t do anything even though it was on one of those extendable leashes and she just said she hadn’t seen Poppy.

“The attack was completely unprovoked and it was fortunate the dog ran off when I ran up to it shouting. It looked like it was trying to rip Poppy in half.

“My first thought was to get her wrapped up and put her in the car. When I turned around the owner had gone, so I went and looked for her to get some details, but I couldn’t spend too long as I had to get to the vet’s.

“I picked up my wife from home and then went to the vets as quick as possible. Poppy was put on a drip overnight and then they operated on her.

“We didn’t know whether she would live as the wounds were horrific.”

The vet bill for the couple came to £685, although that could rise when they return to Garston Veterinary Group in Trowbridge on Monday for Poppy to have her stitches out.

The couple have reported the attack to police. PCSO Laura Humphries from the Trowbridge police said: “This was a very serious incident and we are appealing for any information. We would also encourage the dog owner to come forward.”

Information can be left by phoning the police 101 number.