The owner of Lashings restaurant, David Folb, said he has been overwhelmed with messages of goodwill for his pet chihuahua, Charlie, who was savagely attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier-cross in Mote Park the week before.

Messages have flooded in to the restaurant in Upper Stone Street, Maidstone, from the West Indies cricket team, and from as far afield as New Zealand and Abu Dhabi, thanks to Mr Folb’s international sporting connections. Even MP Helen Grant sent her best wishes for Charlie’s speedy recovery.

But the best contact of all came from the woman who owned the dog which attacked Charlie.

Mr Folb said: “When she read what had happened in the Kent Messenger, she was tremendously upset, and she came into the restaurant that night to apologise.”

Mr Folb was furious that the man walking her two dogs at the time had simply walked off after the attack, leaving Charlie near death, but he said that the owner’s confession had restored his faith in human nature.

He said: “She has done the honourable thing, owned up and apologised."

The woman, who Mr Folb agreed he would not name, has also promised to pay Charlie’s vets’ bills - already totaling around £8,000 - and has made a first instalment of £200.

She also promised Mr Folb that her dogs would not be allowed out without a muzzle in future.

Meanwhile Charlie is making a strong recovery.

Mr Folb said: “He still can’t walk, but he is already alert and snuffling the nurse’s chicken rolls.”

Mr Folb, who has been visiting 18-month-old Charlie in the Royal Veterinary College Hospital in Potters Bar every day, said it was possible that Charlie would be well enough to return home on Friday.