A distressed dog owner is calling for more responsible pet ownership after her Jack Russell was mauled by a German shepherd dog in Deal.

Sharon Mannings, 55, of Wilson Avenue, took eight-year-old Paddy to a field off St Richard’s Road, at 9.15am on Saturday, for his morning stroll.

The mother-of-four usually walks her pet along the seafront, but because of her busy schedule that day, she took him to the field near her home.

She said Paddy was off the lead but walking close by when the other came up and sniffed him.

But in little more than a minute, the dog launched a ferocious attack on little Paddy, leaving him screaming and crying uncontrollably.

Ms Mannings said: “The next thing I knew this dog had its jaw around my dog’s stomach.

'The next thing I knew this dog had its jaw around my dog’s stomach...' Ms Mannings

"The owner just said, ‘No, get off’.”

The community care worker said the incident was over within a minute and the dog let go.

But she decided to pick Paddy up and chase after the man who had walked off with his dog.

“He just apologised and walked off,” she said.

“I saw other dog walkers and warned them, but the man didn’t seem fazed and said his dog had never done that before.”

Paddy has been seen by a vet and is now on antibiotics and painkiller medication.

Ms Mannings said the dog only started eating again on Monday and has been quiet since the incident.

His stomach had to be drained as fluid had built up where the puncture marks remained.

The bill is £140, but Paddy will need to be seen again next week for a check-up and more costs could be incurred.

Ms Mannings has vowed never to return to the field. The police are not taking action because both dogs were off leads.

She said: “I am disgusted. If this dog has a tendency to do this the dog owner should take responsibility for what it has done.

“I want something done about it, as I don’t want someone else to go through what I experienced.”

Police spokesman Jon Green said: “Officers have spoken to the Jack Russell owner and given her advice to keep her dog on a lead.

“She was unable to identify the man who had the German shepherd and has been advised to contact police again if she gets any further information or a photo of the man.”