Three women and a man have been hospitalised with dog attack injuries after three dogs came to blows on a busy beach.
Police are investigating after a woman claims her six-year-old Siberian Husky called Naevia was set upon by two bulldog-style pets while on Redcar beach on Sunday.
Marie Hay said she's now left with a £14,000 bill after vets battled to save the life of her beloved pup, who has been left with life-changing injuries.
Cleveland Police has confirmed that counter-claims have been made by the other dogs' owner and they are looking into what took place.
Mum-of-three Ms Hay said she was looking forward to letting Naevia have a paddle in the sea but was devastated when her peaceful walk turned to heartbreak.
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The 40-year-old said two dogs who "weren't wearing any collars or harnesses", approached Naevia.
She claims their owner called out to her that they were 'friendly' but just moments later one of them was said to have launched at the husky.
Mrs Hay from Nunthorpe, North Yorkshire said: "[The] dog came over and sniffed my dog, and then done a little scuffle and made a noise and then just jumped on her and bit her face and wouldn't let go.
"So [the owner] came running over to try and get the dog, but his dogs had no collars or leads on, they didn't have harnesses or leads, nothing at all.
"So there was no way of grabbing them to get them off."
She said the second dog ran over and jumped on the family pet as members of the public rushed to help.
Mrs Hay estimated that the incident lasted for around 10 minutes, with a group of people visiting the beach trying to pin the dogs to floor, getting injured themselves in the process.
Both Marie and her 20-year-old daughter Jessica had to be treated for their bite wounds, with the latter needing antibiotics and a tetanus injection.
Naevia has spent several days undergoing surgery to ensure she could make the best recovery.
Mrs Hay added: "Them dogs kept coming and coming and coming and what they've done is they've punctured her skin and pulled it that much that it's almost like an autopsy.
"They've severed the skin that badly off her chest that they've had to remove the skin from her chest to get to her muscles and all of her muscles are dying and going black.
"She's had to be fully shaved, she's got multiple lacerations on her face, on her neck she's got multiple bite wounds where they've gone for the kill.
"She's got bite marks down her back legs and backside, a slash underneath her armpit where the dog literally was playing tug of war with her leg and trying to pull her leg off."
She added: "I am a responsible dog owner [so she is insured] but not for one second do you think it will cost more than £4,000 if something happens. The cap on the insurance is £4,000 per event."
Marie has now launched a GoFundMe page to raise the money needed to save her 'gorgeous' dog's life.
A spokesman for the Cleveland police force said: "Police were called to the beach near the caravan park at Redcar just after 3pm on Sunday, 5th February to a report of a dog attack by two bulldog-type pets on a husky.
"Officers attended the scene and took initial details including a counter allegation from the bulldogs’ owner. It’s understood at least one dog received veterinary treatment and a man and three women attended hospital for treatment - primarily for hand injuries.
"As part of ongoing inquiries we are obtaining more detailed accounts as well as details of any confirmed injuries to the dogs and people involved.
"Police have already spoken to a number of independent witnesses but would appeal for anyone who saw the incident or who may have footage of it to contact Cleveland Police on 101."
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