A beloved pet has been left blind in one eye after being set upon by another dog.

Bobby the six-month old Lhasa Apso was attacked by another dog by the Fitzmaurice Pavilion at the Dussindale recreation area.

His shocked owner, James Mclean from Dragoon Close, Dussindale, looked on in horror as his young dog was savaged by the Staffordshire/springer spaniel-type dog on Monday.

The attacking dog clamped Bobby in his jaws – causing one of his eyes to pop out of its socket.

Monday's attack happened after Bobby and the other dog had been playing with each other off their leads.

James, 20 and who works at Sainsbury, said: 'We called Bobby back with a treat. He came running over and sat down.

'The other dog then just got up and jumped on him. The dog was right on top of Bobby and had his head in his mouth.

'His eye was nearly pulled out. The vet had to push it back in and close the eye with a stitch.

'I was just shocked by what happened. It was unbelievable really.'

And the injuries would have been worse if James' girlfriend, Sarah Lewin, 20, had not been on hand to fend off the dog.

Because Sarah had studied an animal management course at Easton College she knew how to release the dog's jaws from Bobby.

Bobby was treated at Companion Pets based at Pets at Home in Sprowston.

James thinks Bobby was attacked because the other dog was jealous it had not been given a treat.

As well as seeing his pet being savaged James said he was upset the two people with the other dog appeared to do nothing to stop the attack or help Bobby.

James, who lives with his family, said everybody had been devastated by Bobby's horrific ordeal.

His father Steve Mclean, 46 and a freight train driver, said: 'He has lost the use of the eye. They are having him in again next Friday and will decide whether to remove the eye or stitch it up. He is very lethargic and a bit down.'

Mr Mclean added that he had been disgusted by what had happened including reports from other dogwalkers that the other animal was still being allowed to walk around off the lead.

'When I was told what had happened my reaction was that of anger,' he added. 'As well as the injury to Bobby, one of my concerns is what else could have happened. It could have been a child eating a sweet that could have been attacked. We could be talking about a child's funeral here.'

The father-of-five said since the attack Bobby's behaviour had changed.

'He gets extremely nervous when we take him out for a walk,' he said. 'He loves children, but when he passes them at the local school he gets nervous. It is going to be a long process of recovery because it has been very traumatic.'

The Mcleans contacted the police about the attack but officers could take no action as no offence had been caused under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Police and the RSPCA said it was now a civil matter.

Is enough done to protect pets and people from dog attacks? Contact Anthony Carroll on 01493 847955 or email anthony.carroll@archant.co.uk