A MAN in his seventies watched his small dog ravaged by a Staffordshire bull terrier while out on a walk.

The man was walking his papillon dog on a lead through fields between The Fryth and Craylands when the Staffy, which wasn’t on a lead, ran up and started attacking the dog.

It bit the dog’s neck and back leg and caused severe injuries.

The owner of the Staffordshire then ran over and pulled the dog away before running off. He did not say anything.

The papillon, which are usually about 20cm to 30cm tall and weigh 4kg, had to be taken to a vet for treatment to its injuries.

The attack happened at about 11am on Friday.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack to help track down the dog owner.

The Staffordshire bull terrier is described as being off-white in colour and of full size. It had brown-tipped ears and darker patches on its sides.

The dog owner is described as white, aged 25, 5ft 8 tall and slim with short dark hair. He was wearing red tracksuit bottoms and a green long sleeve t-shirt.

Anyone with information should call Pc Marek Jaworski, or his colleagues at Basildon police station, on 101.