A PITBULL-type dog was shot dead by a police marksman after it killed one pet dog and injured a second.

Police efforts to restrain the dog by using a Taser failed, so an officer had to shoot the animal instead.

Officers killed the dog after it launched a "frenzied unprovoked attack" in the streets around The Canary Tavern pub in High Street, Little Lever.

The dog had attacked and mauled to death a Yorkshire terrier and then attacked a basset hound. A man who helped wrestle it to the ground said it was like 'a bear'. Another man had his wrist broken as he tried to restrain the animal.

The terrier was killed as it was being taken for a walk. Mark Hewitt heard the commotion and saw a man warning neighbours and tracking the dog.

Mr Hewitt said: "I ran across the field, looking down the street and up the back streets and I saw a van turning up James Street and I suddenly saw the dog.

"I shouted 'it's here' and halfway up, as we approached, the dog latched on to the long ear of a basset hound being walked by a young girl.

"The girl was in hysterics and the dog was yelping. She said the dog had gone for its throat."

The man who had been tracking the dog wrestled it to the ground around the neck, Mr Hewitt pinned down the animal on its rear quarters and a third man assisted as the animal fought back and eventually released its bite.

Mr Hewitt said: "It was like a bear. It was aggressive and so strong."

Police officers with riot shields arrived within two minutes and fired the Taser weapon at the dog as the three men tried to restrain the snarling pitbull-type dog. Mr Hewitt said: "It was still growling."

The electric shock failed to bring down the dog and officers shot it dead as a precaution.

The man's partner Joanne Ball later wrote online: "He is OK, just damaged hand and cuts and bruises on hands and feet."

Debbie Berry said online: "My heart goes out to the couple that has very tragically lost their little dog. It quite easily could have been a child."

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said officers responded to a 999 caller who said "a dangerous dog was out of control".

She said: "Officers attended and discovered a pit bull-type dog had attacked two other dogs and was dangerously out of control. In an attempt to detain the dog a Taser was deployed.

"This was unsuccessful in restraining the dog and to minimise its suffering and protect the public specialist firearms officers destroyed the dog.

"During the initial incident a man sustained a suspected broken wrist and has gone to hospital for treatment.

"An investigation is ongoing."

The basset hound was taken to the vet's and received staples to a wound in its ear and is recovering with its owners.

One bystander posted on social media: "I have just witnessed a little Yorkshire terrier-type dog die on the bench due to a frenzied unprovoked attack, while he was on the lead.

"Apparently three people tried to get the Staffordshire-type tan or fawn dog off by kicking and punching but sadly the little one died with horrific injuries.

"The police have been brilliant as this dangerous dog ran off.

"It happened on the grassland next to the Canary pub, apparently the dog lives on the new Cricketers View estate.

"My heart goes out to the owners and more so the people that were looking after him for them."

A 54-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of being the owner of a dog and allowing it to be dangerously out of control in public place and causing injury and he has been bailed until December 14.

The incident happened on Saturday shortly before 4.35pm