TEACHER Emma Couling has called on dog owners to ensure their pets are properly restrained after her puppy was mauled to death.

Emma, 33, was walking four-month-old Molly, a black Schnoodle, on a common near St Leonard’s School in Blunsdon at around 1pm on Monday when two greyhounds attacked the much-loved family pet.

Despite calls from the greyhounds’ owner, the animals did not stop their attack.

And after Emma rushed Molly to the vet, the puppy did not survive.

Mother-of-three Emma has been left heartbroken by her loss, as have her children Beatrice, six, Oscar, eight and 10-year-old Alana.

“It has left the whole family absolutely devastated,” said Emma.

“Everyone loved her, especially the children. It’s been very hard for the children who went to school with a pet and came back to not having one.

“They are all old enough to understand so we have had to tell them what happened. There have been a lot of tears since.

“I was scared when the attack happened because, as you can imagine, it is frightening.

“At least none of the children were there because I dread to think what would have happened.”

Emma said when she got to the park she could not see any other dogs so let Molly off the lead.

She added: “Soon after, the two greyhounds appeared from behind a building and as soon as they saw Molly they shot over and attacked her. It all happened so quickly before I could do anything.

“The owner offered to take me to the vets, but I didn’t want to get in the same car as the two dogs which had just attacked mine. After carrying Molly I was left covered in blood so, being a teacher, I couldn’t go back to work.”

Emma now wants to get the message out to people that if a dog is inclined to attack small dogs then it is vital they are kept on leads.

She said: “I walk on the field all the time as do a lot of other dog walkers. There are often lots of small dogs, so this was never a suitable place to allow them to roam free.

“I want dog owners to think before they let their dogs loose. This has had a devastating effect on my family and I don’t want it to happen to anyone else.”

Following the attack, the owner of the greyhounds came forward.

Yesterday, a spokesperson for Drove Vets said: “Our hearts go out to both the owner of the puppy and also of the owner of the greyhounds who showed an incredible level of responsibility in coming forward.

“All breeds of dogs have at least some natural drive to chase things that move, and this can be stronger in some breeds than others.

“Every dog is an individual, and will behave in certain ways, based partly on genetics, but also learned behaviour and previous life experiences. Even then, we should remember that all animals can behave unpredictably on occasion.”

Wiltshire Police explained to Emma that because it was a dog-on-dog attack no crime had been committed, although the owner of the greyhounds could be spoken to under Section 2 of the Dogs Act 1871.