'All it would take is a £10 leash to save all of this heartbreak'

A distraught Sunderland woman is appealing for dog owners to 'behave responsibly' after her pet Cockapoo was mauled to death by another dog whilst out for a walk.

- by Neil Fatkin

Danielle Alexander's much-loved Daisy was out with her mother-in-law at 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon for her usual daily walk at a well known dog walking spot close to Windermere Road in South Hetton.

However, a tearful Danielle recalled receiving a call informing her that the "much loved member of the family" had been attacked and seriously injured by another dog.

She said: "Daisy had been walking on a lead when she passed an owner and three dogs who weren't on leads.

"My mother-in-law said one of the dogs, a large black dog, suddenly turned and attacked Daisy, grabbing her by the stomach with its jaws.

"My mother-in-law tried to intervene and also ended up getting injured.