Police were called to deal with the two large terrier-type dogs on the West View estate in Hartlepool.

In the first incident a man was bitten by one of the dogs in Runciman Road but managed to trap it inside the gate of an empty property.

The other dog, which the man described as appearing to be "more vicious" ran to Netto, in Easington Road.

After getting into the store it attacked a small fox terrier dog, that was with its woman owner inside the store.

The pet dog suffered puncture wounds to each side of its neck.

Staff in the supermarket managed to trap the crazed animal in the rear yard of the premises.

Both dogs were later returned to their home in Jowett Road.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "A man contacted police to say he had been bitten on the back of his right leg by a dog.

"When police officers got to the address the man had managed to contain one of the dogs in the garden of an empty property in Runciman Road.

"He believed the other dog to be more vicious and that had managed to get away."

She added: "Police carried out an area search and officers discovered that a large white dog had entered Netto and attacked another dog.

"Staff managed to get the dog into the rear yard of Netto as it had been wandering about the store.

"The dog that had been bitten had suffered four puncture wounds to either side of its neck."

The incidents happened at around 11.55am on Tuesday.