Get the Echo newsletter - it has never been more important to stay informed Sign me up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A woman has described the moment she was left wrestling on the floor with a vicious pit bull in a bid to save her dogs as the "most terrifying moment" of her life.

Helen Holmes was walking her two dogs along Lodge Lane in Toxteth at around 5.20am on Saturday, when the aggressive and unprovoked attack took place.

The 31-year-old was with her retired racing greyhound Scooby and her rescue lurcher-cross Fred, when the "pit bull appeared bearing its teeth."

She recalled: "I was walking down Lodge Lane when my greyhound looked to the right and I saw a pit bull with his teeth bearing running at me.

(Image: Helen Holmes)

"It all happened so quickly, it is a bit of a blur, but it was the most terrifying moment of my life.

"I quickly threw the lead of my greyhound hoping he would run away to safety, and I was wrestling with the pit bull on the floor which had latched onto my lurcher.

(Image: Helen Holmes)

"The dog had locked his jaw around my dog and I was pulling with all my strength trying to prize his mouth open."

Helen, who is a support worker for the homeless, claimed the dog's owner had no control and stood telling her to "leave them" whilst the attack took place.

(Image: Helen Holmes)

She added: "The dog had his teeth locked onto my dogs ear, and at one point I was pulling so hard thinking it's better to have an alive dog with no ear, than a dead dog.

"I got them apart and the man grabbed the pit bull's harness and dragged him across the road, punching him in the back of the head."

As Helen was trying to open the jaws of the pit bull, its teeth pierced the web of her thumb leaving her with "a deep puncture wound."

She described the dog as "vicious" and said it was a "dark brindle" colour.

(Image: Helen Holmes)

The attack left Fred with a laceration on his neck which needed five staples, a puncture wound to the top of his head, a wound in front of his left shoulder and grazing and cuts to his body from the "struggle."

The six-year-old dog is currently on pain relief and antibiotics, and has to go for regular check ups - his vets bills have cost around £300 so far.

Fortunately, two-year-old Scooby remained close by during the incident and didn't sustain any physical injuries.

(Image: Helen Holmes)

However, both dogs, and Helen, have been emotionally effected by the attack.

Helen explained: "I'm a nervous wreck. I forced myself to take my greyhound out, but it was a stressful experience.

"I can't take Fred out at the moment because of his staples, I can't put a collar on him because it will irritate his wound.

"The attack has left me feeling like I have been beaten up by Mike Tyson, I'm aching all over."

Worryingly, this isn't the first time Fred has been attacked by a pitbull in the area, as Helen claims a much "less serious" incident occurred last year.

Helen, who is originally from St Helens, added: "I'm sick of feeling like walking my dogs is a life and death situation because of other people being irresponsible.

(Image: Helen Holmes)

"This is a huge problem in this area, as youths often see the dogs as a weapon and have little or no control."

The incident is currently being investigated by Merseyside Police, who have launched an appeal for information.

A spokesperson said: "We received a report that a female dog walker was walking her dog on Lodge Lane near Cedar Grove in Toxteth at around 5.50am on Saturday 3 November when her dog was attacked by another dog, described as a stocky and dark brindle coloured.

"The woman suffered a minor hand injury as she attempted to separate the two dogs.

"Enquiries are ongoing to trace the dog and the owner."

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerseyPolice or call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 18400022352.