A woman is warning pet owners to be alert after her two Yorkshire Terriers were savaged by a fox in her own garden.

Pauline Franks, 41, had let her dogs go outside at 7.45am on Friday. After leaving them for a matter of seconds she heard them screaming.

She rushed to the door of her home on Mayfield Avenue, Ilkley, and saw one of her dogs in the mouth of a fox.

"The fox just looked at me when I opened the door, I thought it was going to go for me, then I saw blood pouring out of the neck of my 12-year-old dog, Jamie. I thought he had been killed," said Mrs Franks.

"The fox had Jamie in its mouth, it dropped him and just walked off. I picked him up and rushed him to Ashland Veterinary Centre on Leeds Road and they patched him up and gave him some drugs.

"I think Jamie's injuries were worse because the fox had attacked Bobby first and Jamie had come to his rescue."

But when Pauline returned home she found her younger dog Bobby, 11, had collapsed as well and also had to take him to the vets.

The two dogs are bruised and have puncture marks around their necks, they are still taking painkillers for their injuries.

The Wharfedale Hospital health care assistant added: "I just want to warn other dog owners to be vigilant. You think that your animals are safe in your own garden. I don't want anyone else to have to go through what I have been through."

Since the attack Mrs Franks has been pampering her animals with special treats.