It locked onto my leg and I could feel it biting deeper and deeper to the bone

A WOMAN has called for a new clampdown on owners of dangerous dogs after she was savaged by a breed dubbed the beast of the east.

- SASKIA ROWLANDS and HOLLIE BONE

Bully kurtas, also known as Pakistani mastiffs, are fighting dogs that can grow to the size of a small pony and weigh up to 95kg.

Experts say they are gaining popularity after the XL bully ban, with dogs coming in "through the back door" from abroad.

Donna Ormerod, 62, says she was left with life-changing injuries when one clamped its jaws around her leg. She branded the breed "trophies for violent individuals", and called for mandatory dog licences to prevent future attacks.

Recalling the traumatic incident, the mum of two from Blackburn, Lancs, said: "It locked onto my leg and I could feel it biting deeper and deeper to the bone.

"It just wouldn't let go of me. If it had been a child or an older person, it would have killed them.

Donna's wound required 84 stitches and two follow-up surgeries after it became infected. She added: "[After the attack] I wouldn't go out of my house, I was too scared.

"I've never been frightened of dogs but now I cross the road if I see a big dog. I couldn't sleep for a long time and I was having nightmares." The owner of the dog was prosecuted and the animal was ordered to be destroyed.

The bully kutta is a large working dog from South Asia originally used 1 for hunting, guarding, and fighting.