A West Highland White Terrier has returned home after being viscously attacked yesterday evening on North Lane.

The dog owner, who will remain unnamed, took Baxter out for an evening walk around 7pm and on approaching North Lane was confronted by an American Pit Bull off his lead and separate from his owner in a nearby green space.  

The pit bull immediately darted towards Baxter jumping over the fence surrounding the green and bit Baxter from behind forcing the white westie and his owner to the ground.

With the pit bull's owner blankly looking onwards, Baxter's owner and local residents desperately tried to separate Baxter from the pit bull who had locked the white westie's head in its jaw.

Baxter's owner commented: "If it wasn't for locals hearing me screaming, shouting and getting hysterical and coming to help, I am convinced he would have killed my dog.

"What worries me is locals explaining it is not the first time the owner has been careless with his dog out in public, Baxter's accident could easily have happened to a child."

Despite a pit bull's intimidating size and weight, and their tendency to react aggressively to strangers, the way in which it is socialised and the relationship they develop with their owner is critical to their behaviour as they grow older.

Baxter's owner explained his disbelief towards the pit bull's owner during the attack, stating that at one stage he commented 'there is nothing I can do'.

A local resident drove Baxter and his owner to a Veterinary hospital in Staines where he received emergency treatment on two punctured wounds, one on the top of his head and one on his throat.

Baxter suffered large bites to the head.

Despite Baxter being expected to make a full recovery and has since returned home, he is currently under medication and being closely monitored by both his owners.

Teddington residents have been quick to offer their support and best wishes with one local present during the attack saying: "So glad Baxter is okay! It was one of the most traumatic things I have ever seen, more than happy to help in any way I can."