A woman has been left traumatised after her dog was mauled by a pack of seven dogs during his daily walk.

Kirstie Snowdon, from Stanley, let her jackawawa, Toby Carvery, off the leash at the exercise area in South Moor on Thursday just after 3pm.

When a male dog ran over she thought he was going to play but was horrified when he began to attack the eight-year-old Jack Russell-Chihuahua crossbreed.

Then six other dogs, who were also being walked by the same woman, joined in.

The Northern Echo: Poor Toby was injured during the attack in South Moor Poor Toby was injured during the attack in South Moor (Image: Contributor)

Kirstie said: “Toby started running and then this Labrador cross had a hold of him by the back legs.

“He was swinging his whole body from side-to-side like a rag doll.

“I ran up and got in amongst it because my first reaction was to save my baby.

“I literally pulled him from the other dog’s mouth.

“He was bleeding and squealing like you wouldn’t believe. It was horrible.

“I cannot get the picture out of my head. It was traumatising.”

Kirstie said the woman refused to give her name or contact details so issued a plea on Facebook and was given a name by a concerned member of the public.

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The Northern Echo: Toby was left with a deep cut Toby was left with a deep cut (Image: Contributor)

Kirstie took Toby to the PDSA in Gateshead where they tended his wounds and gave him painkillers and antibiotics.

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She said it has had a lasting impact on the pet she has cared for three years.

She said: “My son got a toy out for him to play with but he just came over to cuddle up with me. He is not the same dog.”

She contacted the police and an officer from Durham Constabulary came out to see her on Friday morning.

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She said: “They have said all that they can log it and give a warning because it was ‘dog on dog’.

“I understand there are laws in place but I don’t think it is very fair because it was seven dogs on one tiny dog.

“The next time it could be a kid or an even smaller dog. I just hope the owner has learned something from it.”

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: "Police were called just after 9.10pm yesterday (January 26) by a woman reporting her dog had been attacked by a group of dogs at around 3.30pm that afternoon.

"The incident happened in South Moor Park, near Stanley.

"Officers have agreed to speak to the suspect regarding the incident."