A dog owner has spoken of the terrifying moment her pet was pounced on and mauled by three rampaging pitbulls.

Cara Demetriades, of Copthall Road, Mill Hill, was out walking her dog Brodie, in Allianz Park, when two dogs ambushed the tiny dog.

The nine-year-old dog yelped in pain as one sank its teeth into her head and the other picked up her tiny body with its mouth.

When their owner ran towards the scene to restrain his pets, a third dog came charging towards Brodie and attacked her.

Although Brodie is now expected to make a full recovery, Mrs Demetriades has been left shaken by the incident.

She said: “Brodie was there yelping in agony on the ground and I was powerless to stop it. They were growling at her.

“I ended up ripping Brodie off the dogs. The third dog put her down after the owner told it to. There was blood everywhere and I couldn't stop shaking. They are atrocious animals, really vicious and violent.

“It’s a miracle Brodie is still with us today. It was the most frightening experience. I haven’t been able to sleep since it happened. It was truly horrific.”

Mrs Demetriades said the owner of the pitbulls was “very apologetic” and said his dogs were usually very calm and had never attacked anyone before – but bundled his dogs into his car without offering to help.

Mother-of-two Mrs Demetriades walked to the Allianz Park stadium where a receptionist offered to look after Brodie while she went home to fetch her car and her two sons.

Brodie needed major surgery – which cost £11,000 – to repair her ear and spent a night at the veterinary hospital, but is now recovering at home with her family.

Mrs Demetriades, a sports consultant, regularly walks the retired dumb dog, which previously belonged to her father-in-law, in the park and has never had any issues with other animals.

However, she said the incident has left her intimidated and too afraid to walk the “loveable” pet herself.

After reporting the incident to the police, she was told they were unable to pursue the matter as dog-on-dog attacks are not a crime.

She added: “I am traumatised, but Brodie is a trouper and I am so relieved she is safe.

“However, what if it had been one of my sons? If a dog can do that to another dog, I dread to think what it could have done to a human being.

“I am angry that laws mean nothing will happen to the owner. He clearly didn’t have his dogs under control. They should have been muzzled, or at the very least on a lead.”

The Times Series is awaiting a comment from Barnet Police.