A PENSIONER'S pet terrier is fighting for its life after being savaged by two German Shepherd dogs in Eastleigh's Fleming Park.

Baldrick, a friendly terrier adopted by Mrs Betty Noble, from the Second Chance Animal Shelter at Mansbridge ten years ago, needed over 100 stitches after the attack.

Now, Mrs Noble, 84, has spoken of her anger at being left in the lurch by the German Shepherds' owner who initially promised to drive her injured dog to the vet's but disappeared and was never seen again.

The pensioner is also worried that the dogs could strike again unless the callous owner is brought to heel.

Mrs Noble was walking the terrier in parkland near her home when the two dogs attacked without warning.

She said: "I went berserk and screamed because I couldn't get anyone to help me. Then a man came from the other end of the park and the dogs went towards him.

"I was in an awful state. I asked if he had a car because I had to get my dog to the vet's. He said he would take his dogs home and if I gave him an address he would come back for me. But that was the last I saw of him.

"To think that he could just turn around and walk away. That's what I can't understand. I'm going to have a very big vet's bill. I don't mind what I spend on my dog, but it doesn't seem fair that people should get away with this sort of thing."

Luckily, a neighbour drove the dog to a Chandler's Ford veterinary surgery for emergency treatment.

Despite having more than 100 internal and external stitches on horrific wounds that virtually circled his body, it now looks like Baldrick will survive his ordeal.

"I thought I was going to lose him because I couldn't get the dogs off," said Mrs Noble who added: "It has really got to me.

"I am 84 and when you get to that age a dog means a lot to you.

"The vet said these dogs should be traced because they could do it again. I notified the police because I was afraid about what could happen if a child was walking a dog in the park."

The attack happened last Saturday near the skateboard facilities in Fleming Park and the German Shepherd owner drove off in a car that was parked in Passfield Avenue.

Inspector Alastair Brand, of Eastleigh police said that because all three dogs had been off the lead and not under proper control there was nothing police could do under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

But he added: "I personally feel that the individual who was supposedly in control of the Alsatians could be taken to the county court where he may be responsible for paying damages."

A spokesman for Eastleigh council's dog wardens said: "Legislation is not usually applicable in dog v dog incidents and it is often difficult to prove fault.

"However, if anybody has information about the owner of the two dogs in this case, the council will be pleased to contact them with advice on keeping their pets under proper control in future."

The dog wardens can be contacted on 023 8068 8337.