UPDATE: The dog has not died and is recovering from its injuries. Cllr Xena Dion admitted her large Akita, called Diesel, escaped and attacked the little dog as it walked past her home in Poole with its owner.

A DOG has died after being attacked by the Mayor of Poole’s dog after it escaped from the back garden at her home.

Cllr Xena Dion told the Echo she and her husband Bryan were “completely devastated” and had “every sympathy and sorrow” for the owners of the dog - a female Lhasa Apso.

The incident happened around a month ago but was not made public until a resident contacted the Echo this week. However, Cllr Dion reported it to the council at the time.

The owners of the dog which died have not been in touch with the newspaper.

An emotional Cllr Dion told how her large Akita dog ‘Diesel’ has escaped and attacked the small dog as it walked past her home in Poole with its owner.

Cllr Dion and her husband were not home at the time - and had left their dog, as they normally would, in the back garden.

The couple had been having building work done on their property at the time, which meant the side gate had been removed. Cllr Dion’s husband had secured the garden with “a massive piece of chipboard”.

Cllr Dion said: “We did everything we could to keep him secure. I don’t know whether somebody got round the back or something, but somehow he got out. I am devastated by it - God knows what she [the owner] went through.”

A neighbour managed to get the dog off the smaller animal, which was taken to the vet for its injuries. Cllr Dion said the Lhasa Apso initially showed signs of recovery, but later died.

“We paid the vets fees and we’ve been round there with flowers but understandably they don’t want to communicate with us,” she said. “They’re devastated - we’re devastated. I’m so upset about it - it was a tragic accident.”

“We weren’t being irresponsible dog owners. We’ve had dogs for over 20 years and they’ve never got out before,” she added.

Cllr Dion described her dog as an ‘old chap’, but added: “I know he is a powerful dog so he’s never off the lead.

“We are very responsible dog owners. Both my husband and I are absolutely devastated and we have every sympathy and sorrow for the couple. They didn’t deserve this - nobody deserves this.”

Cllr Dion is a known dog lover who has selected Waggy Tails dog rescue as one of her nominated charities during her mayoral year.

In her inaugural speech as Mayor she mentioned her dogs commenting: “Those that know me will know that I love all animals but am particularly mad about dogs. Dogs bring huge comfort and friendship to many and help us with mental and physical health.”

The Akita is a large powerful breed descended from Japanese hunting dogs used to hunt bear, wild boar and deer. The breed has been targeted by some countries’ breed-specific legislation as a dangerous dog, but is not considered so in the UK.

Lhasa Apso are small - usually just over 10 inches, and weight between 14 and 18lbs.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “Owners have a legal responsibility to ensure their dogs are under control at all times.If you are concerned about your dog’s behaviour you should seek expert advice.”

For more information about dog behaviour see www.rspca.org.uk/dogs