A MAN who needed hospital treatment after stepping in to save his five month old puppy from a vicious attack by two dogs has called for help to find the owner of the animals responsible.

Michael Toase was left covered in blood and in shock by the incident, where two dogs savaged his beloved pet in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, on Friday night.

The 24-year-old is now appealing for help to find the dogs' owner, and said he wants them caught before anyone else is attacked.

Mr Toase said: “If it had been my girlfriend walking her, the dog would not have survived and she would probably have been badly hurt too. If she had been off the lead she would have been ripped to shreds.

The Northern Echo:

Puppy Button needed 15 stitches following the attack

“What happens if it had been a child? They came from nowhere. They weren’t on a lead and I don’t even think the guy was in the field when they a

attacked.”

A man with the dogs - thought to be dark-coloured Staffordshire Bull Terriers - claimed he did not know his address or phone number when challenged by Mr Toase. He was aged between 40 and 50 with little hair, glasses and a stripy T-Shirt.

Mr Toase and his partner Beth Jones, 29, have contacted the police and have posted pictures of the injuries suffered by chocolate Cocker Spaniel puppy Button on the internet in the hope that someone can help identify the man or the dogs.

His message has been shared thousands of times and one woman has even started a fundraising page for a reward to find them.

So far, more than £250 has been donated.

Mr Toase said: “I am overwhelmed by the response and support from people. We didn’t expect it. I just want to stop this happening again.’’

Button was rushed straight into surgery following the attack and received 15 stitches. Bite marks on Mr Toase’s arm were cleaned at hospital and he was given antibiotics.

The pair are now at home recovering but Mr Toase and Miss Jones say they have not taken the puppy out since.

The attack happened at about 9pm on Friday night on a running track near Woodham School in Newton Aycliffe.

Mr Toase said: “I asked the man where he lived and what his phone number was but he told me he didn’t have his phone and didn’t know his address because he was staying with his sister. He said the dogs belonged to his sister.’’

Mr Toase urged anyone who knows who the man might be to contact Newton Aycliffe Police on 101.

He said: “Newton Aycliffe is a small place so somebody must know who this is. We feel very lucky that we still have our dog.’’