A dog owner was left heartbroken after her beloved pup was "ripped apart" by two vicious dogs on Tuesday morning.
Dublin mum Deirdre Cotter Daly was walking her two dogs, Bichon Frise Teddy and Teacup Terrior Amber along Dollymount Strand when the two Pitbull Mastiffs pounced on Teddy.
The cute pup, who never left her side while she underwent treatment for cancer, suffered deadly injuries in the shocking attack, Dublin Live reports.
Deirdre, who lives in Clontarf, bravely tried to fight the Pitbulls off Teddy while holding Amber in her arms but unfortunately Teddy's injuries were too severe for vets to save him.
She said: "I tried to beat the dogs off but it had no effect, my big stick broke on its head and I feared for my own life and for little Amber who I was holding tightly.
"I was screaming for help but the owner stayed hidden in the sand dunes.
"Eventually Teddy fell like a rag doll, they thought he was dead and they sauntered off into the dunes to their owner.
"Two men helped me carry him back to the car where the Guards were waiting for me.
"They drove me to the vet hospital in Raheny where the very helpful team of vets said they hadn’t seen such horrific injuries and there was no hope for Teddy."
The Irish Mirror and Dublin Live have seen a picture of the horrific injuries sustained by Teddy in the attack - but have opted not to publish it.
Devastated Deirdre told Dublin Live she had a particularly strong bond with the 12-year-old pup as he never left her side while she successfully battled breast cancer in 2009.
She said: "I’m fully recovered but when having the chemo I spent days in bed sick and he was up beside me every minute and never left my side."
Pitbull Mastiffs are considered to be dangerous breeds under the Control of Dogs Act.
Under the Act, breeds considered dangerous must be securely muzzled, kept on a short, strong leash or chain of no longer than 2 metres and be walked only by a person over 16 years who is capable of controlling them.
The dogs that attacked Teddy are described as being gold, beige and white.
Deirdre anyone with any information in relation to the owner of the dogs to contact gardai. Dublin Live has contacted gardai for comment.
