A WOMAN has desc-ribed her horror after her retired racing greyhound was mauled by a stray dog.

Jan Pearson, of Folly View Road, Faringdon, said she now no longer felt safe while walking Harry.

The 62-year-old house keeper said: “I think people should know that there is a dog running around loose in the area.

“If it had attacked a little dog it would have killed it and if it was a child God knows what would have happened.”

The attack happened at the junction of Marlborough Gardens and Folly View Road on Monday, May 24, at about 3.30pm when Mrs Pearson was walking Harry.

She said: “He was just minding his own business.

“He was on a lead and out of nowhere this pitbull staffy cross jumped on his back and bit it open.

“Harry slipped his collar and ran off but this dog carried on and ran after him.

“A man jumped out of his van to try and get the dog off, and then two people followed him (Harry) in their car. We eventually found him a quarter of a mile away. He had collapsed in the middle of the road.

“Harry was lucky. If it was not for the fact that he is a greyhound the other dog would have out-run him.

“He now has a huge gash on his shoulder and he can hardly walk.”

Harry had to have 14 stitches to the four-and-half-inch cut on his shoulder and the vet also found multiple bites to his head and feet.

Mrs Pearson said: “He was in complete and utter shock.

“I was shaken up, but I was more annoyed than frightened and very concerned about Harry at the time.

“I have had a vet bill for more than £400, but what is most annoying is that Harry was on a lead.

“I will now be walking with a stick, which is something I’ve never done before.”

But she said the police told her they could not do anything.

She said: “They were not interested because it had not bitten me.”

Thames Valley Police spoke-sman Danny Donovan said: “Officers have investigated the incident but have so far been unable to track down the owner of the attacking dog.

“Until we do, there is insufficient evidence for criminal proceedings.

“We would provide any information to the courts, should the aggrieved wish to pursue any civil proceedings.

“We continue to appeal for witnesses and for anyone with any information regarding the incident to come forward.”