HORRIFIED dog owners, including a vet, have sent out a warning after their pets were attacked by 'dangerous dogs' in Marlow.

A broken leg and puncture wounds to the neck are among the serious injuries suffered by the pets.

Dog owners have reported that the owner in each case has run off after the attacks, which have happened on the River Thames towpath.

Veterinary surgeon Julie Turner from Flackwell Heath is the owner of Florence, the latest victim, on Sunday August 21.

Mrs Turner's son Sean, 22, was out walking the Jack Russell cross, near to Marlow Rugby Club.

She said her dog was attacked by a sandy coloured Pit-Bull/Staffie, whose owner, was out jogging, with a second dog.

Florence suffered bite wounds above her eye and throat and also bruising.

“I was really, really horrified, my son is really upset and really angry,” Mrs Turner said.

Mrs Turner, owner of Companion Care Veterinary Surgery inside Pets at Home in High Wycombe, said: “All in all, she was very lucky to have escaped with no serious damage to her eye or throat.

"The outcome could have very easily been very different.”

It reminded her of a recent attack victim, Evie, a Yorkshire Terrier cross.

Evie's owner Tina Peek, 50, a hairdresser, of Elliot Drive, saw her pet attacked by two dogs whilst walking along the same towpath, also on a Sunday, about five weeks ago.

She said it had been traumatic, especially for her Evie, who has been “psychologically scarred”.

Mrs Peek faced a £3,000 vets bill after Evie's leg was broken.

“I had just thrown the ball for her and he came out of nowhere.

"They just attacked her, he shouted at them and then ran off,” she said.

She called the culprit “selfish” and said one of her clients had a similar experience about two weeks ago.

Through email network group Marlow Parents Mrs Turner has heard of other similar attacks and has urged dog owners to report them to the police or RSPCA.

Marlow's Inspector Ray Wilks appealed for witnesses and said: “It is an offence for somebody to be in charge of a dog that is dangerously out of control and we do take any reports of this happening seriously.”

Mrs Turner told police the owner was a white man with dark hair.

Call police on 0845 8 505 505. Owners can also contact Mrs Turner on 01494 448 966 or email highwycombe@companioncare.co.uk