A HAMPSHIRE dog owner is urging the community to be vigilant after her 'beloved' pet was caught up in a vicious attack.

Laura Cable was left in shock when her Labradoodle-cross was attacked by a Pitbull at the Leigh Road Recreation Ground in Eastleigh on Friday afternoon.

The 35-year-old said her seven- year-old dog suffered a deep wound to his leg and could have died if he was not saved by passers-by.

Now, the office administrator is urging other dog walkers in the area to be on the lookout to ensure their mutts are not in danger.

"The Pitbull wasn't on lead. It was absolutely terrifying. I was shocked and had no idea of what to do. If it was a child walking the dog it would have been a worse incident," the mother-of-two said.

She added: " If this dog had been allowed to carry on it would have killed my dog. I just want to make people aware.If they own a breed like that they have to be more responsible of them.

"It happened metres from a play ground. If the dog would have carried on, children would have witnessed a really nasty thing."

Mrs Cable said after few minutes of calling for help, passers-by stopped and helped her.

"I tried to distance the dog by shouting at him but some guys came over and they made a protective circle around Marley and the dog went towards the High Street."

The Pitbull run away but Mrs Cable said she did not see the dog's owner.

"If the owner was around he was a long way away."

Paul Bicknell, borough councillor for Eastleigh South ward, is now inviting dog owners to be responsible.

He said: "The owners have to be responsible and have their animals under control all the time, whether they are on lead or off lead. The Leigh Road Recreation Ground is not the place to have them off lead anyway."