A Maidstone woman was left heartbroken when her pet died after it was attacked by another dog in Mote Park.

Bomber, a four-year-old chihuahua, suffered punctured lungs and broken ribs after he was set upon by a mastiff.

He died at Vets4Pets in Sutton Road less than two hours after the attack.

Owner Daisy Pidduck, 21, was walking her dog with her sister Sky near the 18th century boathouse on the northern edge of the park when the attack happened.

Ms Pidduck said: “I saw this big dog come towards Bomber. I went to move him out of the way.

"My dog barked and the other one just picked him up in its mouth and moved him around.

“I was saying 'no, no, no' and tried to stop him. The big dog wasn’t doing it in a vicious way but I think he just saw Bomber as a toy.”

Ms Pidduck grappled with the mastiff, which wasn’t on a lead, but couldn’t free Bomber until the larger dog threw him on the floor.

It happened around noon last Thursday.

The nanny took a phone number from the other owner and rushed to her vet. She later discovered the number doesn’t work and has appealed for witnesses to help.

The Hawkes Way resident has had a tetanus shot after discovering bite marks on her throat and hands.

She said: “It is just horrifying. I never thought anything like this could ever happen.

"Something needs to be done and some big dogs need to wear muzzles.”

There have been several other dog attacks in Mote Park.

In 2014 Charlie, a chihuahua belonging to Lashings restaurant owner David Folb, was attacked and left with broken ribs.

The owner of the Staffordshire bull terrier-cross responsible came forward and apologised.

In October 2015, a man was hit repeatedly with a ball thrower after a collie jumped up on him and he asked the owner to put it on a lead.

Police are investigating the attack on Bomber and the injuries to Ms Pidduck.

Anyone with information can call police on 01622 604100 quoting reference YY/008129/17.