A WOMAN walking her dog and her pet were mauled in the latest of a string of attacks by Staffordshire bull terriers in Oxford.

Sharon Boaler and her dog Charlie were both wounded by the terrier during an early morning stroll around Gillians Park in Blackbird Leys.

Mrs Boaler, 52, was bitten so severely her leg has become infected, while ten-year-old Charlie, a black labrador/springer spaniel cross, suffered puncture wounds to the neck, chest and face.

The attack follows reports of several other incidents involving Staffordshire bull terriers in Blackbird Leys.

The RSPCA has claimed a gang of youths may be training their pets to become fighting dogs by setting them on other animals, including a cat, rabbit and cockerels, on the estate. Police could not confirm if they were linking previous reports with the latest attack at 7am on Monday, October 29.

Mrs Boaler said: "We walked past this lady and her dog and my dog sniffed her dog. The next minute all hell broke loose.

"Her dog grabbed Charlie's neck and we were struggling there for about 15 minutes trying to release her dog from my dog's face.

"At some point I got bit as well. She just laid on top of her dog trying to pull him off. It must have released Charlie's neck and we just ran.

"I could see him chasing us with his big fangs and he grabbed Charlie again. I was just crying - there was nothing I could do and there was another ten minutes of him savaging Charlie's neck."

Charlie managed to break free and Mrs Boaler ran off with him. She later had to visit her GP for antibiotics and was left with a £400 vet bill for Charlie's wounds.

Mrs Boaler said: "My bite is really bad. It is up my ankle. I have got two big fang marks and it has got infected.

"I am annoyed and worried about my leg. I am frightened to go out of the house - I am looking over my shoulder the whole time."

PC Alex Shepherd said police had met senior members of the RSPCA and the Crime and Nuisance Action Team (Canact) to discuss the recent attacks on the estate.

He said: "The dog attacks are something that has caused a lot of public concern, and they are a very high priority for the Blackbird Leys neighbourhood team.

"We believe people are worried about repercussions if they come forward, and I would like to recommend the Crimestoppers number 0800 555111, which they can ring anonymously."