A dog owner who was left shocked and horrified after his pet attacked and killed another dog has apologised for the “freak accident”.

A Jack Russell being walked on a lead was attacked and fatally injured on Sunday afternoon when a female akita malamute husky cross and a male shar pei cross escaped from the back garden of a house just off Forest Road, Witham.

The owner of the dogs, who asked not to be named for fear of a backlash towards his family, said that the attack, which happened on Forest Road, has left him “devastated for the owners, I can’t imagine what they must be feeling.”

He believes that it was the female dog that actually carried out the attack and has vowed to abide by any decision made by the authorities.

“I have never seen her attack anything or behave aggressively before. I will comply if they have to put her down, but I would be devastated."

He added: “I know no amount of apologies or money is going to bring their dog back but I will pay any costs and will ensure that it never, ever, happens again.”