A diminutive toy poodle was put down following a savage attack by a Staffordshire pitbull cross which was witnessed by her owner's toddler grandson.

Anna Richardson, from Gadesen Road, West Ewell, a former dog trainer and groomer, was with two-and-a-half-year-old bitch Izzy on October 23 when the attack happened.

The 72-year-old was coming home from a shopping trip with her daughter and three grandchildren, one of whom is only 19 months old, when the dog struck.

Mrs Richardson's dog bolted but was brutally attacked as it tried to hide under a parked car - leaving Izzy, who weighed just two kilos, with a badly severed spine.

The attack meant she had to spend two weeks in intensive care at Fitzpatrick Veterinary Hospital in Guildford.

Paralysed from the waist down and unable to walk or go to the toilet on her own, vets advised Mrs Richardson that the kindest thing would be to put her down.

Devastated at the loss of her ‘best friend’ she said: "It frightened the children to death. Izzy ran screaming and tried to get under a car to get out of its way, but unfortunately she didn’t manage it and it got her.

"She was my only companion and went everywhere with me. We used to go out a lot to the shops or markets."

But Mrs Richardson, who has over 50 years experience working with dogs, feels something has to be done.

She said: “The dog is still walking around with no muzzle and it is a dangerous dog. All this happened within a few feet of my little grandson. He could have stepped forward and can you imagine."

Ian Smith, 45, Mrs Richardson’s neighbour, said: “The person who has the other dog hasn’t been to apologise or anything.

“I just think it’s a really sad story. I saw her the other day and she’s not the same person.”

A spokesman for Surrey police said: “Sometime between 1.45pm and 2.30pm on Sunday, October 23, a toy poodle was mauled by another dog in Gadesden Road, Ewell.

“Detectives from Epsom CID are investigating the incident and have interviewed a suspect.

“Officers are liaising with the RSPCA and dog handlers and enquiries are on-going.”