A WOMAN who successfully had her £800 vet bill paid following a dog-on-dog attack is now encouraging other dog owners to seek justice.

Nicola Moore, 35, of Timberlog Lane, Basildon, believes too many irresponsible owners are getting away with letting their dogs maul other animals.

Nicola’s beloved cairn terrier, Goonie, was attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier in Mopsies Park, Basildon.

In the aftermath, she insisted police help and eventually an officer issued a “neighbourhood resolution agreement” to the owner of the other dog and her hefty vet bill was paid.

Nicola said: “These irresponsible people need to be held accountable. It is becoming such a big problem. I want other people to know the police can do something, and they need to push for them to.

“When I first reported this, I was told by the police they could not do anything, but I kept on pushing for it and in the end they agreed to issue a neighbourhood resolution to the owner of the other dog.”

The Staffordshire bull terrier broke free from its walker and ran towards Nicola and Goonie before grabbing Goonie by the neck and shaking him.

Goonie was left with a 10cm wound to his neck and was kept in intensive care for two days after he developed an infection.

After the attack, Nicola followed the dog-walker back to their home and confronted the owners before calling the police.

She said: “It was so scary, there was blood everywhere. “Despite what the police say, they can do something about it.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Neighbourhood resolutions give the victim some control on justice by working with the police.

“They will always be proportionate to the offence. It is important to remember the suspect has to admit guilt and the officers need written consent from the victim that this is the avenue they wish to take.

“Some people who commit crime will learn from their mistakes, and this process allows them to face up to their actions and give closure for the victims of their crime.”