An English pitbull mauled a much-loved family dog in front of a woman holding a baby, then attacked another dog just days later.
Despite the terrifying attacks it's understood the police can't do anything because English pitbulls are not a banned breed.
The dog, owned by a neighbour, savaged Morgan, a 12-year-old Shih Tzu-poodle cross, in a communal garden space in Hull on Monday.
Horrified owners Tony and Tina Wray said their dog is lucky to be alive, reports Hull Live.
The couple's daughter-in-law was carrying her nine-month-old baby when the mutt tore into the garden and set upon Morgan, as she looked on horrified.
Together with nearby workmen and Tony's mother-in-law Mavis, they managed to pull the pitbull off Morgan, who was left with nasty gaping wounds. He was then taken to the vets and the incident reported to police.
But Tony says, because the dog is not a banned breed, police were unable to take action and instead told its owner to keep it muzzled during walks. Four days later, a neighbour reported his dog was also attacked while on a walk.
"We had left Morgan with my mother-in-law because me and my wife work full time," Tony, 50, said. "My sister-in-law was visiting at the time and was out in the garden with her baby.
"Unbeknownst to us, the neighbour has gotten herself a new dog. It broke free into the garden and attacked Morgan, ripping it all over the place. A couple of lads working nearby, as well as my sister and mother-in-law, had to pull it off."
Tony, a taxi driver, says the entire incident had been terrifying and that he dreaded to think how much more serious it could have been had there been children playing in the garden.
Thankfully, Morgan is now on the mend from the attack, but the couple said he would "never be the same".
Days after the incident was reported to Humberside Police, neighbour Paul Hardy was walking his wire cross terrier Max when the dog was attacked by the same pitbull. He told Hull Live the dog knocked him off his feet - sending his glasses flying - before launching itself onto Max and "ripping into him like a ragdoll".
Paul said: "This lady was still on the other side of the road. I had to use all my force to pick it off my dog. When I picked it up, Max was still in its mouth."
Tony now wants to warn other pet owners in the area as, legally, police are unable to seize the animal. "That dog at some point will kill somebody or something," he added.
"It needs putting away or sending back to the place it came from."
Certain dangerous dog breeds are banned in England and Wales, including American Pitbulls and Japanese Tosas, but the breed in this instance is not. Residents with concerns about dangerous dogs are urged to contact their l ocal council's dog warden.
