A MOTHER is warning dog owners in Wellfield to be on their guard after a dog leapt over her five-foot fence and attacked the family pet.

Theresa Ankers was horrified when a Staffordshire bull terrier jumped into her back garden and sank its teeth into German shepherd, Sheba.

Sheba was heard howling in pain as the terrier gripped her round the neck for several minutes until Theresa was able to pull it off.

At this point a man, who Theresa did not recognise, also jumped over her fence and took the dog by the scruff of the neck, passing it to another man behind the fence. He then jumped back over the fence at the Woodbine Street East home without saying a word.

The mother-of-three said: "To say I was petrified would be an understatement. But even though I feared for my own safety I was forced to intervene to get the dog to release its jaws from around my own dog’s throat.

"This left me standing in an enclosed locked yard holding a dangerous dog by the collar at the end of my arm and not knowing what to do with it.

"I knew if I released it there was every likelihood that I would be the next victim."

Theresa phoned the police to report the incident, but when they phoned her back a short time later, Theresa was told the attack was not a police matter.

She added: "I pressed the matter further and asked what if it happens again but I was told as it is not a police matter there is nothing they can do.

"I was concerned because this was a vicious and potentially dangerous dog that appears to leap fences.

"I was always under the impression that a person was safe enough, especially from dangerous dogs, while in an enclosed backyard, but then again I was also under the impression that I was also protected by the law."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed that incidences of dogs attacking other dogs are not police matters, unless the dog in question is an illegal breed.