An injured cocker spaniel has been put down after being attacked by a suspected put bull cross in Fairlop Waters Country Park.

Two-year-old Sasha suffered puncture wounds to the stomach and was “bleeding severely” following the attack on the golf course of the park in Forest Road, Barkingside on Wednesday of last week.

Owner Leanne Latty, who was also bitten, took her to the PDSA Pet Hospital in Woodford Bridge Road, Redbridge where she received four hours of life saving surgery to reattach her diaphragm to her ribs and repair some major organs.

But she was put down on Tuesday as she wasn’t recovering from the treatment.

Miss Latty of Barkingside said: “She was doing OK but then took turn a turn for the worst on Sunday night and was in a lot of pain.

“It was a very difficult decision and it feels like losing a family member.

“My home is just not a home without her.”

Miss Latty said the incident happened when the owner of what looked like a pit bull cross shouted asking if her dog was female.

When she replied yes he let his dog chase Sasha before it grabbed her by the stomach.

“I was terrified and screaming to get it off but it wouldn’t let go,” Miss Latty said. “We removed it after help from a golfer and Sasha’s intestines were hanging out due to two large puncture wounds.”

Miss Latty had a tetanus jab and is taking antibiotics after suffering bites on her hands.

The golfer who helped, Edward Hulbert of Fencepiece Road, was alerted after he heard “hysterical screaming”. He said: “When I got there a little cocker spaniel was being savaged.”

“The dog was still alive but it was horrific and it really has upset me.

“The man just legged it, he didn’t care and I don’t want him to get away with this.”

Mr Hulbert followed him to Aldborough Hatch where he ran off into one of the houses.

The 62-year-old said he was Asian, about 5ft 8in and was bald with a tuft of hair.

The dog is described as a light brown and white speckled colour and is believed to be called Major.