A WOMAN “suffered flashbacks and woke up screaming” following a horrific dog attack.

Julie Hayward was left with gashes to her hands, arms and legs when she tried to save her pet Spaniel Layla from being “torn to pieces” by two Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

Since the ordeal which happened on May 1 on the Plantation in Bishopstoke “her life has changed forever”.

The 44-year-old health care assistant has had recurring nightmares and was left unable to work or drive.

Julie and her partner Gary Vickers were landed with a hefty vet bill of £10,122 after Layla had an ear ripped off and was left deaf.

Victoria Capon, the owner of the two Staffies, appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Friday charged with owning a dog which was dangerously out of control and which caused injury.

The 38-year-old of Kensington Close, Bishopstoke previously pleaded guilty and was given a ten-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.

In a victim impact statement read out in court Julie said: “My whole life has changed. This has caused me so much stress. I’ve had recurring nightmares and woke up screaming.

“I am still too scared to take Layla out alone and I still have a fear of other dogs which I never had before.”

Speaking to the Daily Echo following the sentencing Julie and Gary vented their frustrations.

Both say they want Capon to be banned from owning dogs and for her animals to be destroyed.

Julie said: “I am disappointed that we have not had closure today. We just want to put it all behind us.

“It’s for everyone. Everyone has been scared [by these dogs].”

During the hearing, it was said that Capon’s beasts had been involved in five previous attacks against other dogs.

A decision on the future of the Staffies and whether she will be disqualified from owning dogs is due to be made in December.