NO police action will be taken against the owner of a dog which ripped a leg off a 14-week old puppy.

Chihuahua Jack Russell cross Dodo was walking with her owner on a lead when she was attacked by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Dodo had her front left leg amputated by vets and is now recovering well with her family.

It is likely she will have to have further operations and her vet bill is set to top £2,000.

Essex Police spent 17 days examining whether any criminal act had been carried out but have now decided no action will be taken against the bull terrier’s owner.

A force spokeswoman said: “Police were contacted shortly before 6.55pm on July 11 with reports a Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog had attacked a Jack Russell Chihuahua cross breed in Port Lane, Colchester.

“An officer spoke with the owner of the injured dog and witnesses.

“It was established that both dogs were on leads at the time of the incident and that no-one present felt the offending dog posed a threat to humans.”

The spokeswoman added: “After reviewing the information given, we were not able to identify that any criminal offences had taken place under the relevant legislation of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.”

She also said the “offending dog” is not a breed which falls into Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Those breeds include pit bull terriers, the Japanese tosa and any dog appearing to be bred for fighting or which has the characteristics of being bred for fighting.

Section 3 of that Act also states it is only an offence if a dog is dangerously out of control in any place and injures any person or assistance dog.

Dodo was attacked when she was out for a walk with her owner Adrian Kidd, 43.

The puppy now has her own Facebook page, which is updated regularly by Mr Kidd’s wife, Katie Kidd.

She has posted the vet is “absolutely delighted” with Dodo’s progress, adding: “She’s more herself all the time, full of energy, playful, happy.”

Mrs Kidd hopes to have Dodo back out walking early next month.