Residents have described “living in fear” from an unleashed and dangerous dog, which roamed the streets attacking pets and dragging an old man along the street with its teeth.

Patrick Hodge, 89, was floored by the Staffordshire Bull Terrier on April 10 after it set upon his dog near his home in Kirkley Road, Wimbledon, near Merton Park.

After four attacks were reported in 11 days, the dog was seized last week by police, who came under fire from residents for appearing unaware of the law on how to prosecute owners of dangerous dogs.

When the incidents were first reported and the was still at large, residents were advised to hide from the staffie at home or "behind a large fence".

A witness, who did not want to be named, said: “The dog dragged him on to the ground and then dragged him along the street.

“His finger had to be supported with a steel splint afterwards. It was very frightening.

“People have been living in fear from this dog and it shouldn’t be like this."

Mr Hodge himself confirmed the dog attacked him but was unwilling to say any more about the incident, in which he escaped with minor injuries and his dog survived.

He said: “Thank you for your concern but it’s in the past now, I just want to forget about it.”

Another resident, whose six-year-old cat Milo was killed by the dog, said he felt like he had lost a member of his family.

He said: "It's been very upsetting. A friend who dropped off some flowers for us found him and said 'he has died in my arms."

A Merton Police spokeswoman confirmed the dog was seized on April 24, but no one had been arrested for committing a criminal offence.

“The dog is currently at a secure location at the police Dog Status Unit.

“Investigations are still ongoing and Merton Police will release follow up information as soon as possible.”

But another resident, whose cat was killed by the same dog on the same day, said police officers from Abbey ward safer neighbourhood team seemed “unclear” on what the law was on dangerous dogs.

The man, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals from the dog owner, said: “Most police officers, that myself and neighbours spoke to, admitted to being unsure of the law regarding seizing dogs but stated that they could only seize it “if it attacked a person”.

“This is inaccurate... a member of the public only has to be in fear for their safety for a dog to be seized.

“The police seem completely uneducated in a problem that they claim is their number one complaint and burden on resources.”

The resident has also shown emails from his neighbours following the incidents last month, from residents whose pets had also been attacked and were afraid the unleashed dog would attack them.

One woman wrote: “I have made complaints on at least two occasions to the police, I have not approached the owners and was advised on Sunday not to do so.

“One was some months ago, as a lady who was walking her dog and was attacked by this dog, she had to shelter in my front garden behind the gate.

She added: “I also went to the police station last Sunday and lodged a complaint as I found the dog in my enclosed garden at 11am.

“I have three children under the age of six who play regularly outside.

"On both of these occasions I was told that they weren't able to do anything until it attacked someone and there was some confusion as to whose responsibility it was to deal with the issue.

“This dog was constantly loose and roaming, it tore rubbish bags and fouled everywhere but was also a menace [and] very aggressive.”

Councillor Nelless, who represents Abbey ward on Merton Council, had himself received complaints from several residents about the dangerous dog.

He said: 'I'm obviously delighted to hear that the dog has now been seized and my thoughts are with those who have either lost their pets or were attacked by it before it was taken away."

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