Stanley the cockapoo is fighting for his life after being viciously savaged by a large dog.

His distraught owner Sandra Curtis — who watched the incident unfold — said vets have described it as one of the most horrific attacks they have ever dealt with.

Skin along the whole of one side of Stanley's body was ripped off after the offending animal, an unknown breed said to be the size of a Labrador, grabbed him in its jaw.

Mrs. Curtis' husband attempted to kick the dog away, but the assault is said to have continued for about three or four minutes before the attacker was pulled away by a family member of its owner.

Stanley, who has undergone several hours of surgery, is being held together by 16 staples around his body and was yesterday still not eating or drinking, four days after he was mauled.

Mrs. Curtis told The Royal Gazette the incident happened near her home in Trinity Church Road, Bailey's Bay, on Wednesday at about 10.45 p.m.

"I was just walking up the street and this huge pit bull animal — or whatever it was — started coming down the road. My little dog didn't stand a chance," said Mrs. Curtis.

"It happened very quickly. It made a beeline for the three of us and leapt at Stanley, being the most vulnerable. He had Stanley in his jaw like a stuffed dog.

"In the next one or two seconds, he had ripped the side of Stanley's skin off.

"My husband was saying: 'Oh no, oh no,' and took his foot and tried to push the dog away, but the dog was very violent. I tried to hit the dog with my purse from behind. I thought he was going to die."

Following surgery on Thursday, Stanley has been making very slow progress and further surgery is required today.

"On Saturday, my husband and I thought Stanley might not make it," said Mrs. Curtis. "Now, after our latest visit, we are slightly more encouraged although he is not eating or drinking at all.

"He had his eyes open. He would stare at us. When we left, he was whimpering. We feel as though we have been attacked as well."

Mrs. Curtis has spoken with the dog's owner and hopes the animal will be put down.

She said: "What happened is unacceptable in a civilised society. What if it was a human, a small child? There's no place on this Island for dogs like that.

"I will not walk down my road again personally. If I have to get the bus, I'm going to take an umbrella with me."

Mrs. Curtis says the matter has been reported to the Police, but a service spokesman yesterday said he could find no record of the incident.