THE owner of a vicious dog that attacked and killed a Walthamstow man’s beloved pet has been tracked down.

Jean-Francois Dor, 47, put out an appeal for information in the Guardian last week on the pitbull-type dog that mauled his jack russell Judy.

Waltham Forest Council’s Dog Enforcement Team, together with the Chapel End Safer Neighbourhood Team, worked hard to locate the owner and dog.

Now the owner has been located officers are investigating the incident with a view to prosecution.

Councillor Clyde Loakes, Cabinet Member for Environment, said he is relieved the dog and owner have been tracked down.

“Obviously nothing can compensate for the tragic loss of Judy,” he said, “but ensuring that irresponsible dog owners are held to account and dangerous dogs are taken off our streets is a priority that this council will continue to pursue.”

Mr Dor approached the Guardian for help after the tragic loss of his pup on Sunday, November 20.

He explained that he was walking his dog in the fields behind Waltham Forest Town Hall when the tiny pup was set upon by a tan-coloured dog.

The vicious animal crushed his nine-year-old dog in its jaws as he and his partner Richard Hopkins desperately tried to drag it away.

Immediately following the attack Mr Dor confronted the owners but after violent threats the man and woman fled the scene along with two children and their two dogs.

Mr Dor took Judy to the Goddard Veterinary Group’s emergency hospital in Wanstead where she was operated on, but sadly she died.

“I loved Judy dearly,” he told the Guardian, “she was a lovely, sprightly little dog, very energetic despite her age.”

This is the second attack of its type in recent weeks after a cocker spaniel was savaged by a pit bull cross in Barkingside.

The two-year-old pup had to be put down after it suffered horrific injuries from the attack at Fairlop Waters Country Park earlier this month.

According to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 it is an offence to have a dog dangerously out of control in a public place.

It is also an offence to be in possession of a dog bred for the purpose of fighting or other aggressive acts.

Fines of up to £5,000 and/or up to two years imprisonment may be imposed under the act and the dog may be destroyed.