A MUCH-LOVED Jack Russell terrier has had a lucky escape after being attacked by four lurcher-type dogs while on a morning walk.

Bryan Dale, who lives in the Brinkburn area of Darlington, was out with his three-year-old pet dog, Ruby, when the incident happened at about 8am on Wednesday.

Ruby was off her lead and enjoying a walk along Faverdale Black Path, close to Honeypot Lane Caravan Site, when she was set upon.

Mr Dale, 62, who works in the post room at Darlington Memorial Hospital, said: “I had taken her out for a walk before I went to work and all of a sudden four lurchers came out of the bushes.

“It was totally unexpected. I saw the man who was with the four dogs from a distance, but he just called them away and that was that.

“He did not show any concern at all for my dog.

“She was yelping and obviously in a lot of pain, so I took her straight in to see a vet.

“The vet let her come home, but Ruby has had a lucky escape - she could have been ripped to pieces.”

As well as bite injuries, Ruby was left badly shaken up by the attack, said Mr Dale.

“She is a mess and I want people to see what these dogs can do.

“Thankfully, Ruby is going to be OK, but she was shaking like a leaf afterward, it has obviously traumatised her.”

Mr Dale will be extra vigilant when walking Ruby in the future and has vowed not to let her off her lead from now on.

He reported the incident to police and was been told that officers will increase their patrols in that area.

Wednesday’s incident is the latest in a string of attacks involving lurchers in Darlington.

Last month, two lambs were killed on a farm in Neasham, while a deer was killed in a dog attack on farmland near The Northern Echo Darlington Arena, in January.

Police are investigating Wednesday’s incident. Witnesses are asked to call officers, using the non-emergency number, 101.