AN elderly woman saw her Yorkshire terrier mauled to death in her own front garden.

Grace Baldock, 82, was left in floods of tears after a dog charged through her garden gate and attacked 13-year-old Toby.

She was standing in the doorway of her house in Stornoway Road, Southend, and had left Toby out to watch people going past.

But a black dog, which she thinks was a Staffordshire bull terrier, burst through the gate and killed him with one bite to the neck.

Mrs Baldock said: “I’m still really upset. He was nearly 14 and I’d had him so long. He was such a lovely little dog.

“I’ll never get over it. I can’t go out now. I’m nearly housebound, and he was my companion.

“Everybody said what a lovely natured dog he was.”

The owner had the vicious dog on a lead and ran away, leaving Mrs Baldock crying on her doorstep.

She was forced to knock on the door of a neighbour who helped clear up the blood, before contacting her son, Jeffrey Baldock, to come and sit with her, at about 8.50am on Sunday.

He said: “If you’ve got a grown man who can’t control a vicious dog on a lead, it’s a real worry.”

Police are now trying to trace the owner so he can be reported for failing to keep a dog under proper control. They are unable to pursue more serious charges, such as having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place, unless a person has reason to fear for their safety.

The man was white with a tanned complexion and wore a straw hat and shorts. He was about 5ft 8ins, and stocky, with dark hair. Anyone with information should call Southend police on 0300 3334444.