A SMALL dog attacked by the Mayor of Poole's Akita is recovering from its injuries.

The Lhasa Apso has not died, as earlier reported in the Daily Echo, but 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.

And she told the Echo: "We are very responsible dog owners."

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 was attacked have not been in touch with the newspaper.

Cllr Dion said she and her husband were not home at the time of the incident 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."

A neighbour said he managed to separate the two dogs and the Lhasa Apso was taken to the vet to be treated for its injuries.

"We paid the vets fees and we’ve been round there with flowers but understandably they don’t want to communicate with us" said Cllr Dion.

"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."

Jeff Morley, Regulatory Services Manager, Borough of Poole, said: “The dog warden was made aware of the incident at the time. We are undertaking an investigation as we would in any such report.

"Councillor Dion has fully cooperated with our investigation which has not yet concluded. We are of course happy to know the Lhaso Aphso is at home and recovering well.”

The Daily Echo acknowledges that an earlier story, claiming the Lhasa Apso had died, was incorrect and apologises for the error.