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An "innocent, cheeky" puppy may lose an eye after being savaged by an out-of-control possible pitbull type dog in the street.

James Ward, 35, wrestled on the ground with the dog after it shot out of a house and locked its jaws around his seven-month-old miniature shih tzu, named Coco.

He described the dog that attacked Coco as a bulldog type which he believes may have been crossed with an American pitbull.

Mr Ward told the ECHO that Coco was a gentle and curious dog, who played happily with his pet rabbit Fudge, but says he now feels her "life is ruined forever."

(Image: James Ward)

He said he was walking Coco along Kremlin Drive in Tuebrook at around 6.30pm, on Wednesday July 4, when the attack took place.

Mr Ward said: "I was walking along the pavement and I seen this big dog running in and out of a house, so I crossed the road to avoid it.

"It ran back into the house and its owner came out, and said to me 'can I have a stroke of your dog?'.

"That's when her dog ran across the road and grabbed Coco. I put my hand in its mouth and it took me to the floor, I have scrapes all down my back and bite marks to my hand.

"I am 6ft4 and not physically weak so it could have been a lot worse, like if it was a little old lady."

(Image: James Ward)

Mr Ward said he managed to prise the dog's jaws open to free his dog, but the crazed animal chased Coco down and bit her again.

The attack ended when he managed to pick up his puppy and shouted at the bulldog until it went back into its house.

Mr Ward, who lives nearby, said: "Coco had blood all over her face and I thought she was dead, but then she showed slight signs of life.

"There were women and children crying at what they saw. A taxi driver who was in the street offered to take me to the vet but didn't really know where he was going and I was in a state of panic.

(Image: James Ward)

"A lady who lives in the street had seen what happened and sprang into action, pulling up alongside and telling me to get in. She drove as fast as she could to Alder Hey vet where they stabilised (Coco) before transferring her to the PDSA, where she had surgery on her eye and a puncture wound in her chest.

"She is home now but lucky to be alive and will probably lose an eye, and the innocent cheeky puppy that wants to explore everything is now changed forever."

Mr Ward said he has been prescribed medication due to the anxiety caused by the incident, and says he "can't get the vision of her poor little face in agony, covered in blood, out of my mind."

(Image: James Ward)

He said: "I can't thank all the people who worked to save Coco's life and can only describe them all as superheros who I'm indebted to forever."

Mr Ward said the incident has been reported to Merseyside Police.