DOG lover Barry Lindfield is shocked and angry after his wife and his tiny Bichon Frise cross West Highland terrier were left injured and covered in blood after being attacked by a rottweiler on a walk around Tonedale Mill.

Mr Lindfield, who lives at Weavers Reach, said his wife, Dorothy, was taking three-year-old Teddy for a Saturday afternoon stroll when one of three rottweilers being walked together attacked.

The rottweiler bit into Teddy’s leg and almost tore off one of its testicles and, when Dorothy lifted Teddy above her head, the rottweiler jumped and bit both her hands.

Mr Lindfield said: “I got a mobile phone call – Dorothy was screaming ‘for God’s sake get over here, I’ve been attacked by a dog and so has Ted, and I’m covered in blood’. I rushed out and when I got to her she was hysterical.”

Dorothy, 63, who always takes Teddy out morning and afternoon, spent several hours at Musgrove Park Hospital and has had a tetanus jab and been strongly advised to have a rabies injection as soon as possible.

Mr Lindfield added: “It could have been a child. My six-year-old grand-daughter comes to stay with us and if she had been here she would have insisted on going out with my wife and the dog.”

Teddy received emergency treatment and injections at The Mount Veterinary Hospital in High Street, Wellington, and has been given antibiotics and painkillers subsequently, incurring a veterinary bill of £460 so far with more to come.

Mr Lindfield, who has reported the incident to the police, said: “Ted loves the field but he won’t even go out of the house now, he’s so traumatised. He won’t eat, he won’t drink and he is reluctant to urinate because it must be painful. It’s like he’s dead inside.”