A JACK Russell is lucky to be alive after being savagely attacked by a Rottweiler in Winton.

Irene Rizzo, 67, and her husband watched in horror as the Rottweiler ran across Wimborne Road and began to attack their dog Joe at around 4.30pm on Saturday.

Irene, who lives in the Bournemouth area, said: "Joe was pouring with blood and I was screaming 'what is he doing to my little dog, he is killing him'. My husband tried to fight the dog off with his walking stick but we couldn't do a thing to stop the attack. There were lots of people watching but there was nothing they could do to stop it.

"Eventually Joe got away and crawled along on his stomach bleeding to the man in the fish shop who locked him in so the Rottweiler couldn't get him anymore.

"We will never walk our dog that way again. He has a great big tear from the front arm right through all the muscles in his chest. He's been sewn from inside to outside.

"We're on a pension and we've had to pay nearly £400 to the vet after just innocently walking down the street."

Joe underwent three hours of emergency surgery for skin and muscle wounds and is now on antibiotics.

Alyson Richardson, partner at the Dunbar Vet Hospital in Winton, said: "They were quite extensive injuries. It was quite a severe dog attack. Unfortunately he has not been doing too well since the operation but we are hoping he'll make a good recovery."

Dorset Police are investigating the attack and have been in touch with the local authorities' dog warden. Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt Mike Claxton at Kinson Police Station on 01202 222225.