I saw my terrified puppy getting mauled to death by a frenzied 9st XL Bully in a park – it was horrific

A DOG owner yesterday told how his terrified puppy was killed in front of him by a frenzied nine stone XL Bully.

Devastated James Gibson, 28, said heavily pregnant fiancée Daniela Mokiatos, 32, was left traumatised by the sudden attack.

He said they were in the park when the ferocious dog launched itself at their little Jack Russell Chihuahua cross Maya and sunk its teeth into her as James tried to fight it off.

The six-month-old pup fell to the floor and was later pronounced dead.

Police launched an “urgent investigation” into the attack in Mile End, East London.

It comes after an XL Bully recently mauled a man to death in Staffordshire, and another attacked a girl of 11 and others in Birmingham.

Estate agent James said: “Maya was on a lead and trotting happily by our side. Two other dogs in the park, including the XL Bully, were unleashed.

“What happened next was horrific. I saw the XL Bully owner and before I could ask if the dog was friendly, the 60kg beast was charging us down.

“I grabbed the dog in an attempt to stop it. Its jaws were already clamped onto Maya.

“Once the owner had their dog by the collar, I pinched the Bully’s gums. Maya fell mangled to the floor, bleeding from her nose and mouth. She later died in the Animal Hospital of internal bleeding.

“I had to go home with a paw print and a lock of my puppy’s hair whilst my dog was ­cremated. The Bully’s owner gets to go home with his vicious dog.

“I’ve been told the owner has had two dogs taken off him already. This could just have easily been my 38-week pregnant fiancée who the beast dog went for — or a young child.”

James wants the dog to be “impounded”, adding: “No one needs a murder machine at home. I’d like there to be more regulation on who can own dogs.”

Scotland Yard said of last Sunday’s attack: “An urgent investigation is being carried out, with local officers working closely with the Met’s Status Dog Unit to quickly identify those involved. We understand the impact of this incident on the owners and wider community, as well as the concerns it may raise.”

A woman in her 50s was rushed to hospital with bite wounds to her face, neck and arms after she was savaged by a pit bull, while a man also suffered hand injuries in Friday’s incident on the Wirral.