Dalmation Angus was being walked by his owner Mark Thaxter in Manor Heath Park, Halifax, when a black Staffordshire bull terrier and a white Jack Russell headed towards them.

"It was like nothing I have ever seen before," said Mr Thaxter.

"The dogs made a beeline across the park and started attacking and biting Angus's tail."

"It was such a relentless and horrific attack."

In a panic, trying to escape, four-year-old Angus – who was not on a lead – ran through the park on to Skircoat Moor Road and was hit by a car.

While Mr Thaxter searched frantically for his pet, the dog made his way home to Skircoat Green Road, and was found by his 12-year-old daughter, Caitlin. Angus was covered in blood with a severed tail.

"I was still out looking for Angus when he arrived home to Caitlin. She was hysterical and really upset," said Mr Thaxter.

Vets were able to treat his injuries but they couldn't save his tail and half of it had to be amputated.

Mr Thaxter said the owners of the two dogs who attacked Angus had tried to call them back but the dogs had ignored them.

"They had zero control over their pets," he said. "If their animals are going to behave like that they need to kept on leads or have muzzles on."

"It is terrible that this happened in the park which is always full of families and young children. If the dogs had attacked a child, the outcome could have been much worse."

Martyn Summerscales, the council's assistant parks manager, said: "Calderdale Council encourages responsible dog ownership and expects owners to keep their dogs under control in our parks and open spaces.

The children's play area at Manor Heath Park is fenced off and all dogs are excluded from that area.

"We are of course concerned that such a vicious attack took place on one of our sites and we will do all we can to ensure action is taken against the owner if or when they are identified."