by Alex Claridge

A tearaway mutt charged off from its owner and sank its teeth into a pedigree shih tzu before knocking a man off his feet.

Another shih tzu freed itself from its lead and ran 300 yards home to owner Joan Williams, who lives in Fairview Gardens.

The incident happened in Sturry's Island Road.

Police have spoken to Mrs Williams, 78, and are trying to find the owner of the dog.

The retired chef and caterer has a pair of 18-month-old shih tzus called Jakie and Bengy and they had been taken for a walk by Simon Mckeown who lives with her.

He was in Island Road when he a noticed a woman on the other side of the road with a large white and brindle dog similar to a lurcher wearing a halti – a kind of leather strap which goes around its face, but allows movement of the mouth.

The dog suddenly bolted across the road, knocking over Mr Mckeown, 50, and biting into Bengy’s shoulder. Jakie freed himself and ran back to Mrs Williams’ house.

She said: “Simon was very shaken by what happened and the dogs were extremely stressed.

“We have all been traumatised by this.”

Mr Mckeown, who works as a health care assistant at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, suffered bruising and a grazed knee and strained wrist.

He recalls that following the incident, the woman with the other dog ran across the road and told her pet “you’ve been a naughty boy” before removing him and disappearing.

Mrs Williams has spoken to police and is eager to help them trace the owner of the other dog.

“I think the police will be interested in speaking to the owner of this dog to make sure that it is properly muzzled in future,” she added.

• Anyone with information can call the police’s non-emergency number 101