A BELOVED family pet is on the road to recovery after becoming the victim of a vicious dog attack while walking through woods near Bedmond.

Julia Currant, from Harthall Lane, was walking her border collies – 13-year-old Judy and two-year-old Jemma – at Potters Croch Plantation when the drama unfolded.

Judy, who has arthritis, was “trotting along really well” following acupuncture the previous day.

Then Mrs Currant met another dog walker, whose two lurchers went past the border collies unfazed. It wasn’t until a third dog, a small black mongrel, started barking that the trouble began at about 1pm on Tuesday of last week.

Mrs Currant, 65, said: “Before I knew where I was, the lurcher picked up my dog by the shoulder and was shaking her around. He picked her up and shook her like a rag doll. I was screaming and whacking the dog with my walking stick. The man managed to get him off. Judy was obviously shaken and dazed.

“He said ‘I’m sorry, he’s never done that before’.

“Judy would never provoke anyone to do anything. He then started to walk off but the black dog chased my other dog away.”

The other dog owner disappeared out of sight and Judy was left to take her injured dog to her car, after using her waterproof trousers as a sling for her pet.

Judy suffered three puncture wounds – one to her shoulder and one under her arm – and Mrs Currant rushed her straight to the vets, where she underwent surgery the following day.

She said: “She’s an old dog. She was shaken enough to kill her. It was very scary. You hold it together because you’ve got to keep it together for your dog. I was certainly most upset about the whole procedure.

“Judy’s part of the family, as most dogs are.

“She’s an absolute dear. She’s just a dog and just delightful.”

Mrs Currant reported the incident to the police and now wants other dog owners to be aware dangerous animals are about.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have been in the area at the time of the incident to come forward.

They describe the man as white, around 5ft 6ins tall, of slight build, with dark brown hair and a green coat.

Anyone with information can telephone PC Christine Clayton, from the Harpenden Safer Neighbourhood Team on 01923 0845 3300222.