A pet owner was left with bloodied hand injuries after fighting off a dog who grabbed his shih tzu in its jaws.
Mark Roedling was pulled to the ground during the horrific attack as he walked his own dog Sparky in Woodville, Derbyshire.
The owner of the dog has now been told by police they must muzzle their pet, Staffordshire Live reports.
Mark described how he kicked and punched the dog, forcing it to drop Sparky, who managed to run away and hide in terror.
After he then grabbed the dog's collar, he was then pulled to the ground and suffered injuries to his hand and legs.
He rushed Sparky to a vet who was treated for cuts and kept overnight before being released. But the vet told Mr Roedling his pet was lucky to be alive, DerbyshireLive reported.
The attack took place on Saturday, August 13, and was investigated by Derbyshire Police.
After a public appeal, the force now says it has spoken to the owner of the other animal, instructing them to keep their dog on a lead and keep it muzzled in public.
Mr Roedling, a technical support engineer, said the attack was "completely unprovoked" and the dog approached from behind to attack Sparky. He said: "The attacking dog was snarling and circling ready for an attack. It then lunged at my dog and bit him on the chest and tried to shake him.
"My dog let out the most horrific cry of pain. The attacking dog released him. I then started to kick and punch the attacking dog trying to distract it and give my dog a chance to escape. It was like trying to hold back a bulldozer made of muscle.
"My dog managed to escape and hide despite his injuries. I found my dog shaking with fear with blood on his chest and front paws."
He said he managed to get his left hand on the attacking dog's collar, but damaged his ring finger in the process. He said he was then dragged off his feet by the dog as if he was "featherweight", leaving him with his right hand covered in blood and his knees and elbows skinned and bleeding.
He later attended a walk-in centre in Derby for treatment to his hand.
The pair are currently both recovering well and he was quick to praise the medical professionals who took care of Sparky and him during their recovery. He added: "I'd like to give a special mention to Scarsdale vets, for the way Sparky was treated so well and also all the NHS folk at the Florence Nightingale Walk-in Centre."
A police spokesperson said: "The owner of the dog has been spoken to and issued with a Community Protection Notice Warning. This details that the dog must remain on a lead and muzzled while in public – and must be supervised by someone over the age of 18.
"It has also been agreed that the vets bill relating to the injured dog will also be paid by the owner of the dog."
