A 14-WEEK-OLD puppy had her leg ripped off in a vicious attack launched by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Chihuahua Jack Russell cross Dodo was walking with her owner on a lead when she was attacked by the bull terrier and had her leg irreparably damaged.

Dodo had her front left leg amputated by vets but her long-term prognosis is still unclear.

She is still to go through two more major operations and her vet bill is set to top £2,000.

Mrs Kidd said: “We’ve only had her five weeks and she was so full of life.

“She was the loveliest little thing. She can hardly move now, she’s not eating - it is just horrendous for her and for us.”

The attack happened while Mrs Kidd’s husband, Adrian, 43, was walking Dodo in Harsnett Road, in New Town, Colchester on Monday night at about 6.20pm.

Mrs Kidd added: “He was going down to the allotments [in Recreation Road] to do the watering and my toddler had actually begged him to take her with him.

“But he said he just needed to go there and back and it would be better if she had stayed at home.

“I dread to think what would have happened if she had been there.”

The 42-year-old mum-of-two added: “He was walking towards Port Lane and he saw the Staffie coming on the lead with its owner so he put himself between it and Dodo.

“I don’t think he sensed any danger - he did it just to protect a small 14-week old puppy from a bigger dog.

“The next thing, his arm was ripped back and when he looked round the dog had Dodo in its mouth and was shaking her from side to side.

“By the time it dropped her, the leg was off her.”

Mr Kidd then picked Dodo up and ran home while Mrs Kidd called ahead to the vets.

Dodo was treated in the vets until Tuesday night and is now being cared for at home.

She is only drinking through a syringe and is off her food.

The family, which has also has a pet rabbit, a cat and a duck, had planned to take out pet insurance this weekend.

Mrs Kidd has called for dog owners to be aware of the attack and to make sure they have pet insurance.

She added: “We’re intelligent enough people. We know pet insurance is a ‘must’ but we didn’t for a second think our little puppy would be in danger for a long time.”

Mrs Kidd also said she has never had any problems with Staffie dogs and does not want Dodo's case to become a "witch-hunt".

Essex Police were contacted but told Mrs Kidd no action could be taken because no humans were injured in the attack.

Friends are raising money for Dodo’s treatment. Donate at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/dodo.