A DOG owner whose beloved pet was “torn apart” in a violent attack has revealed “he still sees the horrific incident in his mind every day”.

Back in 2019, Michael Joannou watched on helplessly as his eight-year-old Bichon Frise, Mollie, fell victim to a horrific attack by an off-lead dog in Chalkwell Park.

At the time, Mollie was rushed to the vet but died two hours later.

Now, Michael has told the Echo he is still impacted by the incident as fresh figures revealed there were 800 dangerous dog incidents in the first five months of 2024.

According to a Freedom of Information request published by Essex Police, the number of dangerous dog incidents has risen every year since 2019, when 729 were reported.

In 2020, the force received 945 reports of dangerous dog attacks which rose to 1090 in 2021, 1356 in 2022 and then 1,452 in 2023.

“I still see the horrific incident in my mind every day,” Michael said.

“Every day I think about and hear so many stories of similar incidents.

“I know that the dog that killed my dog is still walked. Who knows how many attacks this dog or other dogs have committed if they are not recorded.

“The dogs could be sold on without the new owner having any idea of its history.”

The dog that attacked Mollie was off its lead at the time and is believed to have been a crossbreed of a Boxer and a Mastiff.

Dangerous dog incidents include dog-on-human attacks, dog-on-dog attacks and the fear or apprehension of being injured by a dog incidents.

Following Mollie’s death, Michael worked with Conservative candidate for Southend West and Leigh Anna Firth in a bid to establish a new law that would make dog owners liable for dog-on-dog attacks.

This law will criminalise fatal dog-on-dog attacks in the UK, ensuring that irresponsible dog owners are held accountable.

Michael said: “I continue the campaign with Anna Firth and there has been some progress.

“At the end of May, a reading was given cross party support. Now all police forces have to record dog on dog attacks.”

The other candidates for Southend West and Leigh are David Burton-Sampson (Lab), Tom Darwood (Independent), Robert Francis (Independent), Tilly Hogrebe (Green), Lara Hurley (Heritage), Peter Little (Reform), James Miller (Confelicity), Jason Pilley (Psychedelic Movement), and Stephen Cummins (Lib Dems).