TWO dogs were put down after a fight broke out at an RSPCA dog show.

Dozens of families who had turned out for the annual open day at the charity’s centre, in Enfield Road, Altham were left “very distressed” when a dog awaiting rehoming lunged at a show goer’s dog during a show parade.

Branch manager Ken Harrison described the event as a “tragic incident”.

Mr Harrison declined to state the breed of the dogs, but eye-witnesses said Megan, the dog which was attacked, was a King Charles spaniel-type and Dillon, the attacker, was a Rottweiler-type.

Megan, 13, was taken to a local vet for treatment on a series of wounds, and then transferred to a surgery in Clitheroe.

Her owner, who had not attended the open day, was told that she might recover from her injuries, but decided that she should be put down due to the traumatic situation and ongoing problems with arthritis.

Mr Harrison said: “It was very distressing for everyone involved and our heart goes out to everybody involved.

“All the dogs in our care are assessed on an ongoing basis and prior to this incident Dillon, the centre dog, had not shown any cause for concern regarding his behaviour.

“Dillon has been put to sleep by our vet.

“We are currently conducting a detailed, and thorough, investigation of this tragic incident to examine what happened.”

Malcolm Hebden, who plays Norris Cole in TV soap Coronation Street, opened the event at 11am, but had left before the attack took place.

The dog show was immediately cancelled, but other attractions, such as pony rides, games, and a range of stalls, continued.