A DOG owner watched on in horror as his beloved pet was mauled to death in front of his eyes....despite the brave efforts of a hero neighbour.

Fred Saunders, 74, of Mildmayes, Laindon, was walking miniature Yorkshire terrier Benson outside his house when a Bullmastiff struck.

The dog, which was not on a lead, ran over and picked Benson up with his mouth.

Mr Saunders and wife Tina, 54, who have both been diagnosed with cancer, rushed their tiny pooch to the vets, but it was too late for him to be saved.

Mrs Saunders said: “The young girl was trying to hold the dog by its collar but it was too strong for her.

“It came up behind my husband and grabbed Benson in its jaws.

“We are devastated. It was horrible.”

She praised the actions of her neighbour Paul Starr, 56, who was in his garden at the time of the attack and rushed to help.

Mr Starr, who owns a spaniel, fell as he ran to help Benson, tearing his Achilles tendon.

His leg is now in a plaster cast and he cannot return to his new job for three months while he recovers.

Mr Starr said: “I was in the garden and I heard the harrowing noise of a dog screaming for its life. It was horrible.

“I just wanted to help but I fell badly. It is quite a serious injury.”

After being left with no choice but to put Benson down, Mr and Mrs Saunders were left with a £370 vet bill.

The couple, who adopted Benson after a family friend died, reported the incident to Essex Police and Basildon Council’s dog warden.

They fear the Bullmastiff could strike again and kill another dog.

Mrs Saunders added: “Benson was so well behaved that my seven-year-old granddaughter walks her sometimes with one of us,” Mrs Saunders.

“It would have been horrible if that had happened in front of her.”