TERRIFIED pet owner Roxanne Benson told how she watched in horror as her tiny Yorkshire terrier was mauled to death in the jaws of an angry dog.

The 21-year-old York nursery nurse was left devastated after her beloved pet Toby was plucked from the street and severely bitten, causing horrific injuries.

As she anxiously screamed for help, Roxanne claimed a man who was with the bigger dog, which was black and the size of a pitbull terrier, simply looked on, laughing.

A tearful Roxanne said: "Toby was like a child to me. I've had him for two years and he's been my only companion since I split up with my husband.

"I've lost four babies in recent years, but in spite of everything, I still had Toby.

"But now he's been killed. And all I can remember is the horrible way in which he was mauled to death while I could do nothing to help him."

Roxanne, of Lowther Street, the Groves, had tied Toby's lead to a post while she went into a shop opposite her home on Saturday evening.

"I normally take him out for a walk around that time and he's quite happy waiting there while I nip in for a few things," she said.

But within minutes, frightened Roxanne heard heart-rending yelps and rushed out to find Toby in the mouth of the bigger dog.

"I screamed and tried to grab the dog, but it was terrifying and I couldn't manage to make it open its mouth," she said.

"But then I looked up and saw a man standing there and laughing.

"I was hysterical and screamed at him to help me open the dog's mouth, but he ignored me."

The squealing terrier was only dropped to the ground when a passing police officer, who had been patrolling the street, heard the shouting and came to its aid.

"He forced the dog to drop Toby and I picked him up in my arms," said Roxanne.

"I ran into the shop with him. A kind man helped me make a compress to cover the wounds and then I ran over to my grandma's who drove us to the emergency vet."

Unfortunately, Toby died on the short journey to Stead's vets in Acomb.

Roxanne is now arranging for him to be cremated.

"It has really upset me after I've been through a hard time already, and I've had to take a week off work because of it," she added. Police are investigating the incident and are speaking to witnesses.

Updated: 10:29 Tuesday, January 10, 2006