Residents say they raised concerns about roaming dogs before a miniature dachshund was killed in Paulton, prompting its owners to question why action had not been taken sooner.

Rosie died after being attacked by two bullmastiff-type dogs in Oxleaze Way on Monday, November 2.

Police seized both dogs after their owner surrendered them.

Rosie’s owners, who identified themselves on social media as Sarah and Adam, said the hardest part of their loss was believing it could have been prevented.

“It should not take a number of attacks and a completely unprovoked violent fatality for something to be done,” they said.

Residents had previously reported two dogs roaming around the Purnells housing estate, with accounts of attacks in September that left a Jack Russell and a cockapoo puppy injured.

Paulton resident Peter Flowers said he had contacted police and the B&NES dog warden about the dogs, but had been advised by the dog warden to walk his own dog elsewhere. He has lodged a complaint with the council.

“My biggest beef is with the dog warden for not recognising that the dogs were an issue,” he said.

Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called at 12.45pm on Monday after reports that two bullmastiff-type dogs had attacked and killed a dachshund.

The dogs were initially contained in a car before specially trained officers seized them. Police said no person was injured in Monday’s incident and enquiries were continuing.

Sarah and Adam’s statement said they “just wanted to say how grateful I am to the people who came out to help me, called the police, calmed me down, brought me drinks, a blanket and got me to a safe place, stayed with me and held me whilst i cried and then came to check on me later that evening.

“My deepest gratitude for the kindness you all showed me. Words cannot express how much that kindness meant to me.

“No one should ever have to see what we all saw yesterday. I think we will all be affected by it in some way. We are taking some comfort in the support we have received so far.”

Speaking about the apparent lack of intervention by the authorities, the statement continued: “To know this situation was completely avoidable is I think the hardest part to come to terms with.

“We should be able to walk safely on our own streets, with our dogs, children, even alone.”

Numerous reports of two dogs roaming freely around the Purnells housing estate area of Paulton had alarmed local residents with various accounts of attacks leaving a Jack Russell and a Cockapoo puppy injured.

At the time of the September attacks, chair of Paulton Council, Cllr Grant Johnson, issued a statement to advise more people to log the attacks with the Police.

In a follow-up statement, he has confirmed that the dogs are now with the police, with the owner having disclaimed ownership of them. The owner is to be interviewed as part of their ongoing investigation.