A FORMER town hall keeper has told of the terrifying moment a ‘fighting-type dog’ attacked his long-time pet companion.

Derek Edmondson, 80, was taking his daily walk with his 15-year-old sheepdog Jodie, at Foxhill Bank Nature Reserve, Oswaldtwistle, when the dog attack took place.

Mr Edmondson, who was a public servant for 40 years, said the dog, which appeared to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was being walked by a group of 12 to 14-year-olds.

The Jubilee Street resident, who lost his wife Margaret six months ago, has walked the route through the local beauty spot with his pet, named after Jodie Foster, since she was a puppy.

He said: “At first I didn’t really notice the children, but when the dog saw Jodie, he just took off.

"He was dragging the lad who was walking him. He fell down and must have been pulled 30 feet.

“When the lad let go, the dog got hold of Jodie. He just clamped his jaws around her neck.

"He was double her size and built like a fighting dog.

"One of the girls from this group managed to pull the dog off.

"As soon as Jodie was free, she took off into the woods from fear.

“She was bleeding heavily. Luckily she was waiting for me on the path.

"It is the way we have walked for years since she was little.”

Mr Edmondson called on a neighbour for help and took Jodie to a vet in Preston following the attack on the afternoon of Sunday June 26.

Veterinary staff said she had lost a dangerous amount of blood and treated her throughout the night.

She has now made a full recovery and is able to walk again.

Mr Edmondson, who paid £380 to have his pet treated, said: “I’ve got her back and that’s all that matters to me.

"I just think it is dangerous for a dog like that to be under the control of children.

"It should be wearing a muzzle and their parents should be held accountable.

"If it would go for a dog like that, next time it could be a child.

"I am lucky that she is slowly starting to walk up and down again, but the whole experience left me very frightened.”

Police said they had been informed of the incident.

Oswaldtwistle councillor Peter Britcliffe said: “I remember Derek well and he was a very dedicated public servant.

"I have become very concerned of late at the number of people reporting dog attacks.

"It is a serious issue.”