A BRAVE passer by saved a couple and their Westie from a very brutal attack by two ‘strong’ Staffordshire bull terriers.

Tracey and Andrew Harding, from Southchurch, were savagely attacked during their daily walk in Southchurch Park.

The couple ended up in hospital and their dog had to be treated by vets, after the unprovoked attack

They were attacked while trying to protect their nine-year-old West Highland Terrier Max from the snarling terriers.

Mrs Harding, 50, said: “Just out of nowhere a brown Staff saw my dog and came towards us.

“He went round the back of my dog and sunk his teeth into his hind and pinned him on the floor.

“I threw myself onto the dog and my husband got onto the back of it. Then the other Staff came over and tried to attack my dog."

Mrs Harding added: “The owner told my husband to try and get the dog off my dog by hitting it in the head, but because Staffs are so strong this would never have got the dog off.

“The black dog grabbed my husband's arm and it bit right through to his flesh.”

Praising a passer-by who came to their rescue, Mrs Harding said: “Without a shadow of a doubt the black dog wasn’t going to stop until he got what he wanted.

“A gentleman walked into the park and he suddenly kicked one of the dogs off and the owner managed to get them restrained.

“As far as I’m concerned he’s an absolute hero. It was just carnage, the most awful thing.”

Mr Harding received deep cuts on his arm and his wife was bitten on the ear and bruised. Their dog was left with very serious injuries and had to have an operation.

Mrs Harding said: “I want to make people aware of what’s happened. They’re still out there and can attack again.”

Neighbour Michael Burton, 40, helped he distressed couple following the incident on April 4.

Mr Burton, of Northumberland Crescent, said: “They knocked on my door. They were in shock and didn’t know what to do.

“They are dangerous dogs. It could have been worse and would have been if it was kids. "

A police spokeswoman said: “A man and a woman aged in their 50s both received injuries to their faces and arms after their intervened when two other dogs attacked their pet.

“The dogs are described as being Staffordshire bull terriers and were in the company of a black man, aged in his 40s, 5ft 11ins tall, of slim build with short hair. He wore a blue bobble hat.”

Inquiries are continuing to trace the dogs’ owner. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Southend on 101.