A DOG that mauled a smaller one to death in front of the victim’s horrified owner has been identified as a banned type and humanely destroyed.

An investigation was launched following the incident, which happened yards from Sarah Harrison’s home in Canford Heath, Poole.

She and her teenage son Ryan were walking the family’s Chihuahua/Jack Russell terrier cross Billy on the lead when the bigger dog – thought to be a pit bull type – suddenly leapt over a garden fence and attacked.

After the incident Sarah told the Echo: “My little dog had no hope. It was awful.”

Jeff Morley, regulatory services team manager for Borough of Poole, said: “We work closely with the police in these circumstances and in this case we took advice from their dog specialist.

“They determined it was a banned breed and the police have dealt with it accordingly. The council does not intend taking any further legal action in this case.”

A police spokesperson said: “Poole Borough Council asked Dorset Police to assist in an investigation of an incident where a dog was attacked and killed another dog.

“A specialist officer found the surviving dog to be of a breed banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act and arranged for that dog to be destroyed.”

Sarah, 43, said: “It’s a relief for me. I’m pleased I haven’t had to go to court to have it all brought back again. Billy was a little angel. He was so loved by a lot of people. I’d had him for five and a half years.

“A lot of children have small dogs because it’s what they can handle. What happened to my little dog is bad enough, but it’s terrifying what could have happened.”

Four types of dog are banned under the act: Pit bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero, plus cross-breeds of all four. The maximum penalty for having a banned dog is £5,000 and/or six months in prison.

A banned dog can be taken away from its owner even if it has not been acting dangerously and there has not been a complaint.

If taken to court, it is the owner’s responsibility to prove his or her dog is not a banned type.

Ownership of the dog can be given up, and if it is, the dog can be destroyed without a court hearing.