A couple are fighting to change the law after their dog was viciously attacked in Ashford.

Ken Gower and his partner Nicky were walking their cavachon Frodo near Singleton Lake when it was set upon by a mastiff dog.

The poor pet had to be taken to the emergency vets with deep puncture wounds and severe bruising.

He spent two nights at the animal hospital and was put on painkillers.

A week later, when he was still no better, it was discovered he also had two fractured ribs.

Mr Gower said: “There was no provocation. The owners knew the dog was dangerous yet had it off the lead around Singleton Lake, where it attacked our dog.

“The owner was punching his dog to get it off ours.”

Mr Gower, of The Rise, in Stanhope, managed to get the owner’s contact details following the incident, which was also reported to the police.

However, he says Frodo hasn’t been the same dog since the attack on Bank Holiday Monday, adding: “He is severely depressed and in pain, and it feels we have lost our pet.

“It is heart breaking to see him like this. He is very nervous now.

“He is severely depressed and in pain, and it feels we have lost our pet." - Mr Gower

“What is really frustrating us is that there is nothing in the law to make the owners of these vicious dogs either responsible or accountable for the damage they cause to not only the poor dogs, but the terrible stress to the owners as they have to watch their loved ones suffer.

“The police have no powers except to recommend muzzling, and cannot do anything until they attack a child!

“I dread to think what would have happened if it had been a child that it had grabbed last week.

“This is what I want to challenge.”

Mr Gower, along with his partner, has now started a petition calling for a law to be introduced that will see dogs that launch unproved attacks on other animals being assessed by vets or the RSPCA.

The assessments would judge the dogs’ level of viciousness and suitability to be allowed in public unmuzzled or off leads.

He added: “The owners should also be assessed and made to pay for this service, which may make them more responsible, as it seems in most cases we have heard the owners seem to be unconcerned about the behaviour of their dogs or the havoc they have caused.

“I will take this as far as I can.”

A spokesman for Kent Police said: “Police were alerted to an incident in which it is said a dog had bitten another dog at Singleton Lakes on Monday, May 4.

“The owner was spoken to and advice was given to ensure his dog was kept under control in public.”

In a similar attack in Ashford, Sharon Burberry's cockapoo Lola was bitten and "shaken like a rag doll" by a bull mastiff in Chilmington Green.

This incident was also reported to the police.

To sign the petition, click here.