The pet was grabbed by the throat by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier during a seven-minute ordeal as store workers and passers-by looked on in horror.

Owner Sylvia Steadman said she was so shocked by the ferocity of the attack that she is terrified to think what could have happened had it been a young child instead.

The collie suffered a torn neck and its owner Sylvia Steadman may never take it out of her home again.

The 50-year-old had left Trixie while she visited the Co-operative store in Northgate, on the Headland, but while inside she heard screaming and yelping.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is thought to have darted from a car and made straight for the collie which was tied by its lead to a post.

When she rushed out she saw a man trying to pull the terrier from Trixie.

The savage attack left bystanders horrified and Sylvia is now afraid to take 13-year-old Trixie out of the house.

She said the dog's neck was "swollen like a tennis ball."

Sylvia said: "It just makes you think, it could have been a child.
"It could have been much worse. Trixie is getting better, but I dread to think what could have happened?"

Sylvia said she tied Trixie up outside the Co-operative store in Northgate when she popped in for some bread on Thursday morning.

She added: said: "When I went out and saw what was happening I couldn't believe it, it was like something you would see on the TV.

"I couldn't breath. The other dog had Trixie by the neck and the owner of the other dog was laid on top of it trying to get it off and to stop it shaking Trixie by the neck."

Sylvia, who lives with her partner, Stephen Remmer, said the ordeal lasted about seven minutes and was caught on the store's CCTV.

She said: "Everyone came out and the girls from the shop were really upset.

"I didn't know what to do. The other dog was so much bigger and we were doing everything to get it off. The man even tried throwing water over it.

"Eventually, Trixie was freed and I took her straight into the shop and rang the vet.

"The other dog wasn't on a lead and I don't really know what happened, but people told me they saw the dog get out of a car that was near the shop."

Trixie was rushed to the Clifton Lodge Veterinary Group where she was treated for the wound to her neck.

Sylvia said: "We are relieved it wasn't worse.

"She won't leave my side now.

"She has always been a placid dog but she seems quiet.

"I'm wary to take her out now, it has scared me."

A spokeswoman for the Co-operative said: "Staff brought the border collie Trixie and its owner, who is a regular customer, into the back of the store to help."

Cleveland Police said they had received calls about the incident but would not be taking any action.