A GIRL was left "traumatised" after seeing her pet dog viciously attacked by three Staffordshire bull terriers.

It happened while 12-year-old Ellie Hodgson, was walking her Shih Tzu, Toby, on Hinnings Road, in Distington, at 7.30pm on Saturday evening.

The dogs involved in the attack are described as two black Staffies and a white Staffie-type dog.

Louise, Ellie's mum, said: "One of the dogs got Toby by the throat, but all of them attacked him.

"Ellie was trying to get hold of Toby. One of them caught Ellie's knuckle, and she was scratched. 

"It was the dog that took the brunt of it."

It is understood a woman who was standing in a nearby garden saw the incident, and she and her husband ran out to help. 

"They dragged the dogs off our dog and put ours into their garden," said Mrs Hodgson.

The family took Toby to the vets on Saturday night. He is receiving a course of steroids, antibiotics and eye drops.

Mrs Hodgson, of Barngill Place, said since the attack Toby is frightened to go out on his lead.

She says Ellie was "traumatised" by the incident, adding: "She's been petrified to go out of the house with Toby."

Police are investigating the incident, contact PC Matt Lazurek at Cumbria Police on 101 with information.