A DOG owner told how his family’s pet was savaged by a doberman.

Keith Nicholls, 53, was out walking his Staffordshire bull terrier Dexter, when he was bitten three times on the stomach.

The family has so far spent £300 on vet bills to get the cuts stitched up.

Mr Nicholls, of Palmerston Road, Grays, said: “I saw the doberman about 50 yards away.

“It was running towards me and Dexter, so I scooped him up into my arms. As I was holding Dexter, the doberman was biting him and would not let go.

“The owner was shouting, but could not do anything. The dog had no collar or lead and was out of control. I didn’t get the details of the owner, I just wanted to get away. It really frightened me.”

The unprovoked attack took place on grassland off Mill Lane, in West Thurrock.