A nurse has appealed for dog walkers to come forward after her pet was viciously attacked by two dogs for the second time.

Denise Howard was walking Layla, a Jack Russell and Welsh springer cross, on an extended lead in the woods behind Straits Mill, Braintree, last Wednesday when the attack happened.

The two dogs, described as greyhound or borzoi types, were off the lead when they launched an unprovoked attack on five-year-old Layla.

Ms Howard, of Connaught Gardens, Braintree, was forced to use her own body to shield her dog, which was cowering on its back.

She said: “The moment the borzoi saw my dog it started charging, snarling and growling straight at my dog.

“I pulled my dog close in front of me with my back to the borzoi, but the borzoi attacked my dog.

“I used my body to protect my dog which was cowering on her back.

“I used my foot to push the dog away. I heard the owner but could not hear what he was saying.

“I pushed the dog away on my right side.

“Then I noticed another dog on my left side – a greyhound.

“I pushed this dog away with my foot, then the one on my right again.

“I pushed both dogs away three or four times before the owner intervened.”

Ms Howard, a community psychiatric nurse, challenged the man as he walked away, but he said his dogs were off their leads because he thought no-one was around.

She said a similar incident also happened a year ago with the same two dogs.

The incident has been reported to the dog warden at Braintree Council who is now investigating. Ms Howard, 49, said: “If these dogs were muzzled, I could have just walked away.

“I feel this owner should take responsibility for his dogs’ behaviour and muzzle them.

“I don’t know if these dogs are safe to walk off lead. That is for the council to decide.

“I feel that people who have had a similar experience with these dogs should come forward and say ‘Me too’.

“I have told other walkers about the incident this morning – everyone seems to know them.”Fortunately Ms Howard’s dog escaped unhurt, but is now fretful when she sees unfamiliar dogs.

The dogs are described as greyhound types.

One was possibly a borzoi with light grey, shaggy coat.

The other is thought to be a greyhound with a dark grey short coat.

A Braintree Council spokesman said: “We are aware and we’re investigating this incident.”