A Chihuahua was mauled to death by an "out of control" Greyhound after being ripped from the arms of its horrified owner.
Five-year-old toy breed Pixie died she when was attacked by the dog on Croy Shore Beach, near Ayr, last weekend.
She was being walked along the shore on her lead when the Greyhound "came charging towards her".
The devastated owner took to Facebook to share the news.
She wrote: "Last weekend Pixie was mauled and killed by a greyhound who was off lead.
"My mum had Pixie on her lead and had picked her up when she saw the dog charging towards them. The greyhound ripped Pixie out of her harness from my mum's arms. We lost our beautiful girl, she was only five-years-old.
"We are absolutely heartbroken. Our lives have been turned upside down all because of an owner who couldn’t properly control or call back their dog."
The owner said her mum and her other pet Chihuahua have been left traumatised by the attack, which happened at around 3pm on Saturday, March 4.
The heartbroken family are now raising awareness in the hope to avoid any other pets suffering a similar fate.
She added: "This is a message to all dog owners - keep your dog on a lead in public places if you can’t control it or if it does not have good recall.
"My mum has been left traumatised and so has her other chihuahua who was there during the attack. They can no longer go a walk without feeling unsafe around other dogs.
"If you see an owner put their dog on a lead when they see your dog, or if their dog is already on a lead and you can see the owner actively avoiding the route you and your dog are taking - keep your dog on a lead and at a distance until you have passed.
"There are reasons why they do not want to be near your dog. We don’t want this to happen to anyone else.
"If you are apprehensive about your dogs behaviour, keep them on a lead."
Paying tribute to the beloved pet, she continued: "Pixie was sweet, fun, cheeky, loyal and incredibly loving. The beach was her happy place. You will always be so loved, our little princess."
The post has since been shared over 500 times and has received floods of messages of support from social media users.
One person said: "This is so horrendous. Sending lots of love to you and your family, especially your mum."
Another said: "That is absolutely heartbreaking. Poor little darling. I have a little one year old chihuahua and I always worry about other big dogs being off their leads around him.
"I'm so sorry this poor lady had to go through this and lose her little dog."
A third added: "That is just so sad and terrifying. Sending love."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 3.45pm on Saturday, March 4, we received a report that a dog had died after being attacked by another dog at a beach in Maybole.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”
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