A dog owner from Downton is urging others to muzzle their aggressive dogs after her puppy was attacked.

On Tuesday, August 20, Sharron Chant, 55, was out walking her four month old German Shepherd, Freya, at Millennium Green, when she bumped into the owner of a Labrador and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffy).

Sharron said: “The owner said the Labrador was friendly, but the Staffy was nasty and didn’t like other dogs, so she walked away.

READ MORE: Longhedge residents speak of frustration at A345 roadworks

"We carried on walking, went around the corner, and I put my hand in my pocket to get a poo bag out and dropped the lead – Freya went running off to the Staffy but I put my foot on her long lead.”

Freya had two leads, a long and short one, and Sharron managed to stop her from running up to the Staffy. The dog's owner "panicked", dropping the lead, and the Staffy ran to Freya, where she was attacked and left with four bites.

Freya was left with four bitesFreya was left with four bites (Image: Sharron Chant)

Sharron said: “It was a full blown attack, absolutely horrendous. There was just blood everywhere and she was whining and screaming.”

Sharron rushed to Ringwood Vets where Freya was treated, costing over £200.

She is urging owners to think about taking precautions if their dog doesn't like other dogs to prevent similar incidents happening again.

She said: "I was angry, hurt and upset. It just kept running through my head. All it takes is a £5 muzzle.

“I have always had dogs, and if I have ever not trusted it I always put a muzzle on. It’s safety for other people - anyone can drop a lead and any dog can run. Some dogs just don't like other dogs, it's just the way they are."

Freya is just four months oldFreya is just four months old (Image: Sharron Chant)

A muzzle covers a dog's mouth to prevent it from biting others.

Sharron added: "If it was a child with a dog, or an old person, it could have been fatal.”

Freya has been treated after Sharron stayed up all night to take care of her, but she remains "sore and miserable".

Sharron said: "She's trying to walk around but she's hobbling a bit. She just wanted to play really, but not all dogs want to and I get that, but if it had a muzzle on, it would’ve saved her."