A RETIRED school teacher was left in tears when her terrier was attacked by a much bigger dog, whose owner stood by laughing.

Maureen Cartwright, 63, from Eccleston, was walking her dog Teddy in Cambridge Road when he was savaged.

She says she had noticed a man and woman with a large black dog with white patches talking on the other side of the road.

The retired high school teacher said: "We were waiting to cross over and suddenly the dog flew across the road and landed on Teddy.

"I'm not sure what breed the dog was but it launched itself on Teddy and seriously injured him in a short space of time.

"The woman from the couple eventually managed to get the dog off. She asked if she could help me, but she was laughing."

She added: "The owners then scurried off leaving me and my dog completely traumatised. I was sobbing.

"They showed complete disregard for my welfare or my dog's. God forbid if it had attacked a child.

"This is a very dangerous dog and I would not want anyone else to go through that."

Maureen got Teddy, a five-year-old Cairn Terrier Cross, from a rescue centre around two years ago.

She said: "He was injured right down to the muscle. He had a general anaesthetic and stitches.

"He's on medication for pain and stress."

Merseyside Police are investigating the incident, which happened on May 4 at 9.15pm.

A spokesperson said: "The other dog is described as black with a white patch on its face and is thought to have been with a man and a woman.

"Officers are carrying out enquiries to establish whether or not any offences have taken place."

Anyone with information can call officers via the 101 number or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.