A man has spoken of his terror when his dog nearly lost his neck after being attacked.

Raymond Weston was taking Bailey, a four-year-old Boston Terrier, out for an evening walk when a larger dog grabbed him around the collar.

The attack happened yesterday (January 11) at 6.30pm outside a petrol station M&S in Saint John's Road, Tunbridge Wells.

Raymond recalls: "We were on our evening walk and my partner had to go in the shop for some milk.

"I was holding Bailey close as usual, when from behind me, a light brown dog that looked like a cross between a Boxer and Bullmastiff grabbed my dog around the collar for what seemed like a lifetime.

"I remember seeing him on a lead with a very drunk man, who kept telling me it wasn't his dog.

"I had a tug of war between the dog and myself trying to get him to release Bailey.

"After punching and kicking the dog I finally managed to get my dog released with a gaping hole in his neck.

"I walked away with burns on my hands from Bailey's lead trying to keep him safe."

He added: "I even struggle to remember everything because it was so quick and I was rushing with adrenaline trying to save my dog.

"If the dog had been wearing a muzzle, this wouldn't have happened. It was just horrendous and nobody should experience this."

The 53-year-old rushed Bailey to a £1,500 emergency surgery at Culverden Vets, leaving him with 10 stitches around the neck.

Bailey is now recovering at the family's home in Sovereign Place, Tunbridge Wells.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "At around 6.30pm on Tuesday, January 10, Kent Police received a report that a dog being walked in Saint John's Road, Tunbridge Wells was attacked by another dog described as a sandy brown cross between a boxer and a Bullmastiff.

"The latter was on a lead held by another man who was white, of medium build, around five feet and nine inches tall and with light mousey brown hair. Anybody who saw the incident or has any information that may assist should call 01622 604100, quoting reference 10-1052."