A DOG attack which left a tiny puppy with a smashed jaw could have killed the treasured pet, its owner said.Christine Huint, said her 13-week-old West Highland terrier is lucky to be alive after its mauling by a bigger dog near her home, She is also concerned for the safety of young children using the play area where the attack happened.

A DOG attack which left a tiny puppy with a smashed jaw could have killed the treasured pet, its owner said.

Christine Huint, said her 13-week-old West Highland terrier is lucky to be alive after its mauling by a bigger dog near her home,

She is also concerned for the safety of young children using the play area where the attack happened.

She is convinced the dog will strike again unless its owner keeps it on a lead and she also wants him to come forward and help pay her £300 vet's bill.

Mrs Huint, of Davidson Close, Great Cornard, had taken her puppy Lillie for only her third walk on a lead when she saw a dog similar to a Staffordshire bull terrier racing towards her. Before she could grab the puppy the loose dog had sunk its jaws into her pet and had her head locked in its mouth.

"The dog had latched its jaw around her head. I was frantic, I tried to kick the dog away but that didn't work. I started shouting at the owner to call his dog but he did nothing. I didn't know what to do," she said.

Mrs Huint's 18-year-old son, Ben, managed to get his hand to Lillie and pull her away but the dog turned and latched its mouth on to his arm – its teeth went into his heavy jumper.

She said she shouted and screamed at the owner to call his dog off but he just walked past leaving Mrs Huint to look after her terrified and badly injured puppy.

"Lillie was bleeding – there was blood everywhere. I was just concerned about getting her to a vet but the owner of the dog didn't even ask if our dog was okay – he just went off.

"The attack split her jaw in half at the front which has had to be wired up. It was also broken at the side but they can't do anything because she's so young and her bones are too soft they would just shatter if they drill into it. They are hoping it will heal up on its own.

"The underside of her jaw was punctured by a tooth and she was also left with a badly mauled ear and although things seem to be sorting themselves out she's too terrified to go on a lead."

Mrs Huint said the 9pm attack on November 19 left her too shaken to sleep.

"That dog should have been on a lead – Lillie could have been killed and it's a children's play area and there could have been youngsters around who could have been badly injured as they go up to dogs without thinking.

She added: "I would like him (the owner) to come forward and help pay my vets bill but more importantly I want him to keep his dog on a lead or keep it away from that area. The dog would have killed my puppy if he had been allowed to keep hold of her and now he has done it once the chances are he will want to do it again."

The dog which attacked Lillie was similar to a Staffordshire bull terrier and its owner is white, between 5ft 8in tall and 5ft 10in tall with short-cropped hair. He was wearing jeans and a dark jacket.

Anyone with any information about the attack at the playing field in Kempson Drive, Great Cornard, should call Pc Phil Peck at Sudbury police on 01284 774300 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.