A DOG owner was forced to put his fingers up the nostrils of a pit bull type of terrier to free his pet from its jaws.

Ken Carter and his wife Jacqui were walking their shetland sheepdog Pippa on a Canterbury footpath that runs between the Wincheap area of the city and nearby Thanington when a grey-coloured pit bull-type grabbed Pippa round the neck and pinned her down with its jaws "locked".

Mrs Carter, of Gilbert Way, Wincheap, said: "Pippa was screaming in agony throughout the ordeal. It took a good five minutes of the owner, my husband and I kicking and hitting and trying to prise open its mouth.

"In the end my husband put two fingers up each nostril to block off its airway and it finally let go."

The owner refused to give the animal's name before walking off after the incident last weekend.

Anyone with information is asked to telephone police on 01227 762055.