A dog walker has been ordered to pay £800 compensation after two Yorkshire Terriers were killed in an “extremely distressing” attack.

Harry Harper, of Tickham Lane, Lynsted, near Sittingbourne, pleaded guilty to two counts of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control.

On Wednesday, October 4 last year, at about 6.15pm, a woman was out walking her two Yorkshire Terriers, Mia and Minnie, in Thetford Forest, Suffolk.

A large black Cane Corso appeared and began chasing Mia. During this time, the terrier’s owner lost sight of Minne but could hear her screaming nearby.

Mia ran towards her owner who tried to grab her, but the dog picked her up in its mouth. A second Cane Corso appeared and began chasing the first one.

Harper managed to get the terrier back, however she died in her owner’s arms. Minnie could not be found so the owner returned home, distraught at what happened.

She returned to the forest later that evening with a neighbour to search for her. Minnie was found dead by a man who volunteered to search the forest.

CCTV captured Harper and a woman walking with the two Cane Corsos along Highbury Road towards the forest at 6.20pm and walking away along the same road at 7.20pm.

Following an appeal issued on Thursday, October 5, Harper called Suffolk Police the following day.

He was interviewed under caution on October 21 and said that he did not own the dog, called Tammy, that had picked Mia up but it was one he had been looking after.

However, Tammy was from the same litter as the other dog, called John, which he did own.

Tammy had been returned to the breeder the day after the incident and a Contingent Destruction Order has been issued.

“This was an extremely distressing incident for the victim, who was understandably devastated at the death of her two dogs in this manner.”

This means the dog must be neutered, fitted with a muzzle and held on a lead by a person who is not under 16. If these orders are not adhered to the animal will be put down.

The 27-year-old appeared before Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 11, where he was ordered to pay £800 compensation, a £162 fine, £130 victim surcharge, and £85 costs.

He had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control.

PC Georgia Goreham from the Forest Heath Response Investigation Team said: “This was an extremely distressing incident for the victim, who was understandably devastated at the death of her two dogs in this manner.

“This incident also caused a lot of concern in the local community, so I hope this outcome demonstrates that we will take positive action wherever possible with cases such as this.

“This should serve as a stark warning to people that if you are walking a dog that is not yours, or whose temperament you cannot be certain of, then it is imperative to keep it under control and on a lead at all times.”