A FAMILY are desperately appealing for information after their beloved pet was killed by a vicious dog.

Anna Mikova, who lives near London Road, in Westcliff, was walking her dog Ricky - a Bichon Frise - when he was set upon by what she initially described as a Pit Bull.

Speaking with the Echo, Anna said: “We were walking Ricky outside because we don’t have a garden and were only out for about ten to 15 minutes.

“We were about to head home down the alley near the Groom Room barbers when it all unfolded.

“The first thing I heard was a barking dog - it looked like a Pit Bull but I’m not sure what it actually was - it was a big dog.

“When I saw it, I tried to pick up Ricky and run away but before I could, he had got Ricky and started attacking him on the ground.”

The 42-year-old added: “I started to scream for help and my son was trying to push the other dog away from Ricky and then more people started to try and help.”

Anna said during the horrific attack, the dog was biting into Ricky’s rib area and refused to let go.

She added: “The dog was extremely strong so nobody was able to get him off until Ricky was already dead.

“Immediately, a man ran over and offered to drive us to the Pets at Home vet but there was nothing they could do.

“The vets called the police who are now investigating.

“I want to thank everyone who helped us even though we were unable to save Ricky.”

Pit Bulls are illegal in the UK but Anna says it may have been a pitbull mastiff.

She added: “It’s been extremely hard for us all.

“We have had him for seven years and suddenly he has just gone.

“The police have contacted us and are now investigating.

“The owner came along and took the dog away about five minutes into the attack but I didn’t get the best look at her.

“All I could say is that she was an older lady and the dog was a large brown dog.

“It was not on a lead and did not even have a collar - it should absolutely have been on a lead because there were also children around so they were at risk of being attacked as well.”

Essex Police are investigating and appealing for witnesses to get in touch.

Anyone with information should contact Essex Police at Southend Police station on 101.

You can also share information online at essex.police.uk/do-it-online