A chihuahua was killed and three others savaged during a vicious dog attack in Leigh.
The dogs' elderly owner was also left bleeding after being bitten trying to save his beloved pets.
Police are now investigating the incident, which happened just after 4pm on Monday.
The pensioner was walking his four chihuahuas on a field off Bickershaw Lane when four dobermanns - which were not on leads - ran over and attacked the smaller dogs, killing one of them.
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The other animals were injured, as well as the elderly man.
The four young men with the dobermanns, said to be in their 20s, 'laughed it off and walked off', police said.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
An appeal on the GMP Leigh, Atherton and Hindley Facebook page read: "At 4.07pm on Monday, June 17, the elderly victim reported that he had been walking his four chihuahua dogs on a field off Bickershaw Lane.
"During the walk four dobermann dogs (not on leads) have attacked the victim's dogs and the victim was bitten whilst trying to intervene.
"Unfortunately as a result one of the dogs passed away and the others were left injured.
"The owners of the dobermanns were four white males in their 20s and laughed it off and fled from the field."
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC 16857 Wood on 0161 856 7225, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
