A VET said a Canvey woman’s beloved Jack Russell was lucky to be alive after being savaged by a vicious German shepherd dog.

Puddy, who is 12 years old, was sitting outside her owner’s home in Waarden Road, Canvey, when the bigger dog unexpectedly attacked.

The German shepherd, which appeared to be unsupervised, smashed through owner Peggy Davy’s garden gate, grabbed Puddy in its jaws and mauled her.

Neighbours wrestled the brute away, but it turned around and made one more attack before being ejected.

Puddy was taken to a vet, who said she was lucky to be alive, after suffering three broken ribs and numerous bites.

She has since returned home to 79-year-old Mrs Davy, but is still very ill and very nervous.

Mrs Davy’s daughter, Dawn Higgins, said: “My mother has had Puddy since she was a puppy. She’s a very nice dog, but she is in a terrible state now.

“Since the attack, she has become frightened of other animals and still needs to go back to the vet to have more treatment.”

Ms Higgins is worried the bigger dog could attack again, with even more serious consequences.

She said: “We don’t know where the dog came from, but if it attacks again, we’re worried it could be a child next time and they could get seriously hurt.

“This dog should be put down.

“One of my mother’s neighbours saw the incident from her bedroom window and she was very upset.”

Mrs Davy reported Sunday’s attack to police.

A spokesman said: “We have spoken to the owner and her family and are at present continuing with our inquiries.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call Canvey police station, on 0300 3334444.