A “MANIAC” sprayed what is believed to be weedkiller into a dog’s eyes and face in Kings Park, Bournemouth.

The man, who was armed with ‘professional’ spraying equipment, is said to have deliberately squirted the liquid at four-year-old Welsh Collie Diesel, who was being walked on a lead on a public footpath.

When quizzed by Diesel’s owner David Price what was in the spray, the man said: “Why should I tell you?”

Mr Price then ran back home to wash Diesel’s face and rushed him to the vets, where he was given strong steroids to counteract the effects.

Following treatment Diesel is now recovering from his ordeal.

Mother-of-one Ruth Price, 30, of Harrison Avenue, Bournemouth, said: “The man did it deliberately. It wasn’t an accident.

“If it was an accident he would have said ‘sorry’ and said what was in the spray.

“It was a full blast. It went in the dog’s eyes. He made a bit of a yelp when it happened.

“Diesel hadn’t jumped up or done anything beforehand. The man deliberately sprayed Diesel in the face as he was walking past.”

Mrs Price said Diesel was stressed out by his experience adding: “He doesn’t like being left on his own. He is a little bit scared of going out now.”

She added: “No-one has seen this man before. It’s very odd. I would like other dog walkers to be aware of this maniac.”

The incident, which occurred at 9.30am on Sunday, was reported to the police and Bournemouth council’s dog warden.

A Dorset police spokesman said: “The owner was advised to speak to the dog warden and officers were asked to attend the park.”

A spokesperson for Vets4Pets at Winton said: “It is safe to assume it was a weedkiller of some description.”

The spokesperson added Diesel’s eyes were bloodshot and his muzzle was a little sore immediately after the attack.