HORRIFIED councillors have called for the owners of a dog that savaged a Bournemouth couple’s beloved pet to death to be prosecuted.

On Monday the Daily Echo told how retired Michel Hiernaux, 62, and his 58-year-old wife Marie’s spaniel-collie cross Jessie, 13, was mauled by a doberman while Mrs Hiernaux took the pet on its morning walk.

The story prompted a huge response on the Daily Echo website, with dozens of contributors calling for the doberman to be destroyed.

This is despite revelations from environmental protection officers that an undertaking has been agreed with the distraught owners of the dog to keep it muzzled and on a lead at all times.

Now shocked Cllr Anne Rey and her ward colleague Cllr Ron Whittaker have written to Bournemouth Borough Council asking the authority to prosecute the owners of the doberman.

“I was sickened to read the front page article in your issue of July 25 where a collie cross was killed by a dog,” Cllr Rey said.

“I am a dog owner and take this role very seriously by reading the article it appears this lady was on her phone and not being responsible at all for the dogs.

“It must have an awful nightmare for the lady whose dog was savaged in front of her and an experience which she will never forget, but this incident could have been avoided.

“My sympathies to the owners. Bournemouth Council, come on and do the job properly.”

Contributors on the website have expressed sympathy for the couple and many have urged dog owners to take greater responsibility for their pets.

Bournemouth Borough Council said the incident was still under investigation.

Head of the council’s regulatory services Rob White said: “We recognise that this was a very serious incident and we took quick action to address the immediate risk from these dogs by meeting with the owner to agree an undertaking.

“However, we would wish to make absolutely clear that our officers are still continuing to investigate this ongoing case.”