A COUPLE were left traumatised after their dog was subjected to a savage attack lasting half-an-hour.

Slaithwaite dog owners Andrew and Julia Smithies were horrified when their dog Max was set upon by a loose Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

The nine-year-old Collie was left with 20 puncture wounds after enduring the terrifying attack on Stockerhead Lane.

Julia, 29, said Andrew was walking Max on a lead when he was attacked.

Unable to separate the fighting dogs, he was forced to drag them into a nearby garden and shout for help.

The lengthy attack on September 18 left Max with severe injuries to his head, neck, ears and paws.

Julia, said the incident had left both her and Andrew traumatised.

“Both of his paws were bitten to the bone,’’ she said. He was in a bad way because he’s not a young dog.

“He was put on adrenaline and had to have surgery to close all the wounds.

“He’s getting there now because he’s a strong little dog, but he still has an infection on his foot to fight off.”

Julia said they had reported the attack to the police and Kirklees Council’s dog warden but had been told that Staffordshire Bull Terriers, known as Staffies, were not classed as dangerous dogs.

As the dog had no collar they are not able to find its owner to lodge a complaint.

Now with a £700 vet bill to settle, the couple are asking why there aren’t greater controls to combat reckless dog owners.

Said Julia: “I think there needs to be more to protect responsible owners.

“That dog is still out there somewhere and could do it again – it’s disgusting.

“People are buying these big dogs as status symbols just to intimidate and frighten other people.

“Our dog is still undergoing treatment for his wounds but the services available to deal with these matters are limited.

“Something needs to change to protect responsible dog owners and their dogs.”

A spokeswoman for Kirklees Council said their dog warden was investigating the attack.