THE owner of two dogs which savaged a man and another dog in central Southampton has been found.

Hampshire Constabulary say they are now “looking at a number of options” after the terrifying attack in Rollesbrook Greenway on Monday.

But officers said the animals would need to be muzzled.

Russell Charlton needed hospital treatment for hand wounds while the dog he was walking, Billy-Bob, required emergency treatment to save its leg.

As reported, Mr Charlton, who was walking Billy-Bob for a friend said he had seen the dogs, which are believed to be Staffordshire bull terriers, before the attack.

They were being walked at the time by a woman who was not their owner. Mr Charlton described how he picked up 12-year-old terrier cross Billy-Bob until they were away from the other animals.

However the dogs strained at their leashes to get at him and pulled the woman walking them over with their strength.

One was latched on to Billy-Bob’s leg with its jaws while the other attacked Mr Charlton.

He had to punch and kick the dogs to free them both, and he immediately had to rush Billy-Bob to a veterinary surgery for treatment.

The vet who saw him managed to save his leg but he was left with serious injuries while 59-year-old Mr Charlton suffered puncture wounds on his hands.

Billy-Bob’s owner, Sally Whitcombe, said she burst into tears when she saw Billy-Bob’s injuries, praising Mr Charlton for saving his life.

The police and the city council urged the owner and the woman walking the dogs to come forward, and the force has now confirmed that both have now been spoken to.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said that following talks with the owner both dogs will need to be muzzled.

He added: “No decision on further action has been taken yet as further discussions need to take place.

“We will be looking at a number of options.”

Carpenter Mr Charlton, from Holt Road, had described the two dogs as “killing machines”, saying “they shouldn’t be allowed out”.

Speaking after the owner and woman were found, he said: “I love animals, I don’t want the dogs to be destroyed. We think they may be taken to a home but they still might be destroyed.”