I READ with horror of the two recent attacks on dogs by another dog.

One owner was left with a vet’s bill of over £1,000 and stands little chance of recovering this as the dog’s owner is on benefits.

The second one this week is of an attack by a Staffordshire terrier-type dog on a bichon frise which has been left with horrendous injuries. The owner must be devastated by witnessing the attack and trying to fight off the dog.

He, too, is left with a hefty vet’s bill. An apology from the dog’s owner is not enough.

Fortunately, these two dogs both survived their attacks.

I know exactly how they feel as 14 years ago my nine-year-old Yorkshire terrier was killed by a neighbour’s seven-year-old rescue German shepherd in our own driveway.

It had been a pub guard dog but the RSPCA rehomed. The hurt and the memories of a pet dying in your arms never go away.

The law can do something about dog attacks. I was advised by the police that if the offending dog is on the Dangerous Dogs’ Register, they can take it away for destruction. If it is not already on that register, they will put that dog on so that, if it happens again, they can take action.

If a dog is placed on the Dangerous Dogs’ Register, it must be kept on a lead and muzzled at all times whenever it is outside.

I was also advised by the police to take out a civil court action against the owner. It is not about the money, or extracting revenge, because nothing can make up for the loss of a pet in this traumatic way.

These irresponsible owners need to be taught that they cannot allow their uncontrolled animals to attack a much-loved family pet. I did not even get an apology.

Joan Edwards Middlewich