A dog owner was unable to defend one of his poodles after a pack of Staffordshire bull terriers savagely attacked and killed one of his pets in Folkestone.

The attack resulted in one of the man's poodles being mauled to death. His other poodle only survived because he managed to lift the dog above his head to protect it.

The incident happened last Monday, on the footpath between Creteway Down Road and Wear Bay Road between 3pm and 4pm.

Now, Kent Police is appealing for witnesses or anyone with information that could lead to officers being able to track down the owner of the three dogs.

The victim was walking along the footpath with his two poodles on their leads when he says the three unknown dogs, which he believes were Staffordshire bull terriers, ran towards him.

The dogs reportedly then starting attacking the poodles.

The owner managed to lift one above his head, suffering injuries to his forehead, neck, arms and legs in the process.

"This was a savage attack by three uncontrolled dogs on a member of the public who was walking his two dogs. The reported attack has resulted in injury to the dog walker and the tragic death of a family pet..." - Constable Kimm

But it is claimed the other dog was bitten and torn from her lead during the attack, before being dragged away and mauled to death.

The victim reported to police that he then headed home carrying the surviving dog above his head.

But one of the dogs followed him home, snapping at his legs and trying to bite the surviving poodle.

Constable Kimm said: "This was a savage attack by three uncontrolled dogs on a member of the public who was walking his two dogs.

"The reported attack has resulted in injury to the dog walker and the tragic death of a family pet.

"The location is a well-used footpath and the dogs need to be located to prevent this from happening again."

In a second attack, a grey and white Staff allegedly remained on Wear Bay Road where she is reported to have attacked another pet being walked on its lead but only suffered a minor injury.

The victim also claims the same dog jumped up at his daughter, frightening her as she walked from the school bus.

A Shepway District Council dog warden has since picked up the grey and white Staff and the first victim identified her as one of the dogs that killed his poodle.

But attempts to find her owner have so far been unsuccessful as she is not micro-chipped and does not have an identification tag.

It is another attack in a spate across the county. In recent weeks attacks have been reported in Ashford as an owner had to protect his Jack Russell from a Staff attack and a 10-year-old was left heatbroken after his puppy was attacked and killed.

Anyone with information about the attacks or who the owners might be is asked to call Constable Kimm, on 01843 222289 quoting reference ZY/002533/15.

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