A MOTHER whose pet guinea pigs were killed by a lone dog in her own back garden is warning other parents of the attack amid fears that a child could be hurt.

Sarah Bassett was at home on Queensway in Hereford when she heard the animals squealing hysterically last Saturday afternoon and sent her husband, Tim, to investigate.

Outside he discovered a brownish-red staffordshire bull terrier had broken into their run and viciously killed one of eight rodents inside before seriously injuring another.

Sarah, aged 40, said: “We have a nine-week old puppy and I dread to think what it would have done to her if she’d been out in the garden – what if there had been a young child in the garden, or my children? And it could easily have turned on my husband.”

The animal eventually ran off after Tim kicked the dog to make it let go, but the remaining guinea pig’s injuries were too severe and sadly died in his hands moments later.

Now the couple, who have two children aged 12 and 15, want to make neighbours in the College Estate area aware of the event after Police said the owner had not yet been traced.

Sarah said: “The whole family, especially my two children, are extremely upset and shocked, while my husband had the sad job of burying our two pets and clearing up the carnage left by this vicious staffie.

“A lovely day ended in such a horrible incident which will never be forgotten – obviously the owner of this so-called ‘pet’ is not a responsible dog owner and doesn’t care what pain and sadness their dog has caused.”

To help identify the owner or to report a similar incident, call West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000.