ANIMAL charities and vets have called on owners to take more responsibility of their unpredictable and dangerous dogs.

The groups say it is unacceptable for dogs to attack other animals and have urged owners to look after their pets following a savage incident last Friday when a Bull Mastiff killed a Jack Russell in Acomb.

Six-year-old Chloe was being walked on Viking Road when the mastiff launched into a brutal assault and killed the pet, despite the efforts of the Jack Russell's owner who attempted to free the smaller dog.

At the moment, the Dangerous Dogs Act states it is against the law for any type of dog to be dangerously out of control anywhere, including their owner's home or in a public place.

And vet Tim Stead, who treated Chloe after the attack at his ST Stead practice, on Plantation Drive, said dogs with a reputation for being boisterous should be kept on a lead.

He said: "In simple terms, keeping a dog on a lead or collar should be the first step especially if it does like barking or nipping at people.

"We would encourage people to take their dogs to obedience classes when they are young to make them more sociable and learn the basic commands.

"The way things happen are awful and I don't think it's going to change because every now and again a big dog is going to attack another, and it's very upsetting."

A spokeswoman for the Dogs Trust said: "We believe that every dog owner has a responsibility to ensure that their dog is properly trained and kept under control at all times.

"It is clearly unacceptable for any owner to allow their dog to be out of control to the extent that it injures or kills another dog or protected animal."

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA added: "The RSPCA would like to reiterate once more the message that all dog owners have a responsibility under law to ensure their pets are cared for properly and are under control when out in public."