Belfast City Council officials are investigating after a dog was attacked in West Belfast resulting in her being given a "50/50 chance of survival".
On Tuesday morning, Melissa McCabe's pet miniature Jack Russell Bella was in their garden when they say they heard "squealing".
Running to the front of their home, in the Moyard area, Melissa's partner was greeted with a "nightmare" scene as little Bella was being trailed across the path and attacked by another dog.
Bella went through major surgery following the ordeal.
Melissa told Belfast Live: "On Tuesday morning at 8.50 my partner let Bella out to the toilet in the garden with the gate locked and tied and he heard her squealing and run out while a half pit bull half Akita had her in its mouth. It broke through our gate and there is CCTV footage of it happening.
"Bella was rushed to the vets. This is the fourth dog it’s happened to in our area. It attacked my partner as well but the Warden can’t take it unless the owner gives it up. Bella had to go through major surgery and had to get a rib took out with hundreds of stitches and given only a 50/50 chance of surviving.
"It’s been a complete nightmare for us as she’s like our baby, my son was just in the garden just before it happened, the children in our area can’t even go out and play because everyone is petrified of this dog. It literally preyed on my small dog while she was in her own garden."
Sinn Féin councillor Michael Donnelly says it is "absolutely insane" that the dog cannot be lifted unless voluntarily given up.
Cllr Donnelly shared his fears that "if it had of been a young child, we'd be talking about a tragic death".
He added: "A dog was savagely attacked in Moyard today by another dog. I seen the video and it was absolutely horrendous. God help the poor dog, hopefully it pulls through.
"The dog in question has been out of control in the area for a number of years now and has attacked other dogs in the past. I’ve tried everything to date today to get this dog took of the street as my concerns and the concerns of the community is that if it had of been a young child today, we’d be talking about a tragic death.
"I’ve been dealing with councils dog wardens and other agencies throughout the day who have told me that they can’t lift the dog unless the owner voluntarily gives it up. That is absolutely insane!
"I will continue to pursue this in the morning again as this cannot continue."
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: “Our Dog Wardens are currently investigating the matter and we cannot comment further while the investigation is ongoing.”
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