DOG wardens are searching for the owners of a 'pitbull' which savaged a puppy to death on Christmas Eve.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Teddy, a Pomeranian, suffered a broken back in the attack in Bournemouth.

The larger dog was being walked by three teenage girls. It broke loose when it saw the puppy.

Teddy's owners Simon and Maxine Woodcock, who run the Bunkhouse Hotel in St Michael's Road, told the Echo they had been left "devastated" by the loss of their pet.

Initially, police said such incidents are dealt with by council dog wardens.

However, Inspector Jon Wasey of Dorset Police has now written to Mr and Mrs Woodcock to say his officers will support the council's investigation.

"As I am sure you will be aware, any investigation into a dog-on-dog attack is led by the local authority dog warden. However, I am mindful of the concerns this incident has caused and I earlier instructed my neighbourhood policing team to fully support the local authority investigation in any way they can," Insp Wasey said.

"We will also be examining whether improvements between the partner agencies can be identified following this upsetting incident."

Bournemouth council leader John Beesley has also written to Mr and Mrs Woodcock after being emailed by ward councillor Nick Rose.

He has invited the couple to meet with Kelly Ansell, the council's head of communities, enforcement and regulatory services, who will explain more about the investigation.

Mr Woodcock said Teddy was mauled in a prolonged attack which lasted for as long as three minutes.

Anyone with information on the dog involved is urged to contact Bournemouth council's dog warden via bournemouth.gov.uk/Report