“THESE dogs shouldn’t be allowed out – they were killing machines.”

Those are the words of a man who was savaged in a frenzied attack that also left another dog needing emergency surgery to save its leg.

Now the police and the council are urging witnesses and the dogs’ owners to come forward “to ensure this does not happen again”.

Russell Charlton was walking terrier cross Billy-Bob in a small area of wood in central Southampton when they were attacked by the two dogs, which are believed to be either Staffordshire bull terriers or pit bull terriers.

Russell needed treatment at hospital for hand injuries while Billy-Bob had to be rushed to a vets after he was bitten.

The attack unfolded as 59-year-old Mr Charlton was walking Billy-Bob, who is owned by a friend, on Rollesbrook Greenway off Wilton Avenue.

Walking through it shortly after 9am, he saw the two dogs being walked towards them by a woman.

Having seen them before, he picked up 12-year-old Billy-Bob – but that didn’t prevent the dogs straining at their leashes to attack them.

Mr Charlton, a carpenter from Holt Road, said: “They just overwhelmed the woman walking them, they pulled her over and one grabbed hold of Billy-Bob’s leg and pulled him down to the ground. The other dog then attacked me.”

One dog bit down on Billy-Bob’s leg and wouldn’t let go, while the other one bit him as he tried to fight them off.

Mr Charlton said he had to punch and kick the dogs in the face to get them off, saying: “the woman was saying ‘kick him’, she was feeling sorry for what happened.”

Eventually he managed to fight them off and rush away, immediately taking Billy-Bob for emergency treatment for serious leg injuries.

He then took himself to the walk-in centre at Royal South Hampshire Hospital to have his hand injuries seen to.

Both are now wearing several bandages and are recovering at home.

“He’s all bandaged up and feeling sorry for himself, he doesn’t want to go out and I can’t blame him”, he continued.

“I was in shock, I was very annoyed and swearing to myself.”

The park is near to Springhill Catholic Primary School, and Mr Charlton wants the dogs to be taken off the streets so they cannot injure anyone else.

“These dogs shouldn’t be allowed out – they were killing machines.

“It could have been a little girl or boy and it could have done a lot of damage, especially if a little girl had been carrying a dog.”

Billy-Bob’s owner, Sally Whitcombe, said: “I think He’s lucky to be alive – if Russell hadn’t picked him up I don’t think he would be here now.”

A spokesman for the city council said: “The council and police are investigating, making enquiries in the area, and are appealing for the woman to come forward urgently to ensure this does not happen again.”

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said officers wanted to speak to witnesses and urged the woman walking the dogs and their owner to contact the force.

Anyone with information should call the police on 101, quoting reference 44160174243.