A dog has been mauled to death in a vicious attack in a public gardens.

The Yorkshire terrier had to be put down after it was set upon by a pit bull in Canterbury's Westgate Gardens.

The small dog was allegedly mauled just after 8.30pm on Wednesday and suffered catastrophic injuries.

A vet with much experience described the wounds as the worst he had seen in 20 years.

Police are now investigating the incident and inquires are continuing.