ONLOOKERS in a Falmouth street watched in horror when a dog attacked another yesterday.

A Staffordshire terrier clamped its jaws around the back end of a Jack Russell and the owner, aided by another walker, had to pin it down to release the smaller dog.

Steve Strachan, who was out walking with his three dogs in late morning, told the Packet: "We walked through town on a route we don't usually take, but as we turned into Avenue Road leading towards Melvill Road, I saw the Staffy wandering around.

"I thought it belonged to the couple in front of me, who were with a Jack Russell, but it suddenly attacked it. It was horrible. The owner managed to pin it down and I ran over and helped to release its jaws."

"While that was going on my miniature Dachshund Willow panicked and slipped her collar, so I picked her up and held her above my head because it wanted to attack her as well."

One of Mr Strachan's collies, Jemson, then exchanged bites with the Staffy, before a police van arrived.

Mr Strachan said he had an unconfirmed report that the Jack Russell's injuries were so severe that it had to have a leg amputated. Its owner also had to go to hospital after being bitten.

He added: "The Staffy was completely out of control, it all happened so fast. The dog just wanted to bully smaller dogs.

"Once it had all calmed down and the police arrived, I carried on walking to Gyllyngvase Beach.

"It was only after the adrenaline had gone and I had time to reflect, that I felt really emotional. I stood there and thought, did that just really happen?"

The police are believed to have returned the Staffy to its owner after it is thought to have escaped from its home nearby.

The Packet has contacted the force for a comment, but we are yet to receive a response.