A woman believes a vicious dog that mauled a Shi Tzu also attacked her pet - and is worried that its next victim could be a small child.

Rachel Adams, 42, got in touch with the Oxford Mail after reading about a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that attacked another dog, near Horspath.

And she is sure that the same dog attempted to maul her Great Dane puppy, Missy, two weeks ago.

Ms Adams, from Horspath Village, said the 14-week old puppy escaped certain death - by wriggling down a rabbit hole.

She said: "It was frightening. I have been walking dogs for 18 years and I have never seen anything like it.

"This dog - which wasn't on a lead - just came from nowhere.

"It was lucky I had a retractable lead and was able to let Missy escape.

"She climbed down a small rabbit hole - if she hadn't, I'm sure she would have been savaged.

"Eventually the owner came over to pull the dog away - he was a big bloke, but it took all his might to get hold of his dog's collar.

"If the dog had managed to reach Missy it would have ripped her to shreds."

Last week the Oxford Mail reported that 15-year-old Shi Tzu cross Tommy had to have £700-worth of vet's treatment after being bitten by another dog near Horspath Village sports field.

Ms Adams added: "I'm positive it was the same dog and owner as described in the other attack.

"It was all over in the space of under a minute and I hoped it was a one-off.

"But when I read about it in the paper, I thought: 'That's the same dog'.

"There is no doubt in my mind that this dog would attack a child.

"It is the most dangerous one I have ever seen."

Edward Pope, of Corunna Crescent, in Cowley, also came forward to say a neighbour's dog had been attacked near the same spot several weeks ago and it required a skin graft.

The RSPCA advises dog owners to keep their pets under control in public, either on a lead or in another way and says it will prosecute unruly dogs or owners.

If you or your dog have been attacked by a dog - or you have seen an attack - call the RSPCA hotline on 0870 555 5999.