A small dog has needed daily veterinary treatment after being savaged by a snarling hound.

Molly was set upon as she was walked by her owner near her home in Lydia Road, Deal.

The Yorkshire terrier-Jack Russell cross needed 18 stitches after she was bitten from behind by a dog described as looking like a Staffordshire bull terrier.

Owner Sylvia Banks said: “I was standing there screaming and swearing at the man with the dog to get it off her.”

The attack happened at about 3.30pm on March 20 and has been reported to police.

Mrs Banks, 66, was walking 11-year-old Molly and her second dog, Jack Russell Sasha, aged 10.

Molly was alongside Mrs Banks and they were at first behind the rogue dog and a man with it.

Mrs Bank said: “For some reason the dog turned around and went for Molly. It locked its jaws on her.

“It went for Molly from behind and it was as if it had swallowed her whole tail.

“Had it got her by the neck she would have been dead.

“It happened so fast that I can’t remember if the man did get the dog off her but for some reason it let go of Molly. The man then walked off with the dog.”

Sasha was left unhurt.

Mrs Banks called her husband Errol who arrived by car and they took Molly straight to the vets.

Mrs Bank said: “By chance we came across the dog and its walker and spoke to him. We said ‘do you know what your dog has done to ours’?

“He gave his name and workplace.

“It went for Molly from behind and it was as if it had swallowed her whole tail...Had it got her by the neck she would have been dead" - Sylvia Banks

“We went to his workplace next day and found he was with a man who said he was actually the owner.

“We said we were taking this to the police and they said it was our word against theirs.”

Mrs Banks believes the attack consisted of one continual bite.

Constant veterinary care, such as sedation, wound cleaning and treatment of skin infection, was estimated at £600 to £700 for far.

Police spokesman Steve Knight said: “Police were called to a report of a dog-on-dog attack in a field near Lydia Road, Deal.

“Inquiries into the incident are ongoing.”

Anyone with information should call officers on 01843 222289, quoting the incident number 21-0172.