A DISTRAUGHT dog owner confronted a gang of youths who filmed themselves kicking her pet chihuahua.

The attack is reported to have taken place outside the Londis shop in Begonia Drive, Laindon, prompting a warning to other pet owners.

Owner, Sheryl Harwood, 44, said she would avoid walking the route in future following the incident on Wednesday at about 2pm.

She said: “She was tied up outside like she always is, I was buying a few bits from inside and was being served at the time.

“I briefly saw what was happening out of the corner of my eye.

“I was confused at what was going on.

“They were kicking her like she was a football.

“I turned to the guy behind me, he was part of the ‘gang’; he claimed that they’re scared of dogs.

“I don’t know how you can be scared of a small chihuahua, that’s not an excuse for kicking my dog.

“A tiny little dog can’t scare you. They’re lucky it wasn’t my old dog, he would have gone for them.

“She was scared for the whole afternoon. I always used to walk that route.

“I can’t take her that way anymore.”

Ms Harwood, who lives in Somercotes, explained how she had run out and a lady driving past had seen it all happen.

She said: “I was so angry.

“A lady described how she had seen them film the whole thing, that made me even more cross.

“The CCTV at the shop didn’t pick anything up, apparently it was just out of view.

“They laughed at me when I went back and asked.”

Ms Harwood wanted to warn other dog owners about the attack.