Michelle Clifford and her son Eden, four, were walking Gypsy, a six-year-old black labrador, on Central Springs Rd at 9.30am Wednesday, November 11, when another dog started running along the fence line.

It jumped out at them and Ms Clifford's first reaction was to push her son out of the way.

The dog lunged at Gypsy's neck and latched on.

"There was blood and yelping. I tried to punch the dog in the mouth but it wouldn't let go. I think it was a pit bull," Ms Clifford said.

"Then this wonderful man jumped out of the car to help."

The man grabbed the dog by the neck and tried to pull it off. He punched it in the jaw and still it wouldn't let go.

Ms Clifford said that in the struggle he was bitten on the hand.

"His hand was swollen. He could have just driven by," she said.

The man managed to prise the other dog off Gypsy and and held it back as the Cliffords made their escape.

"He let me put my bleeding dog in his nice clean car then he said I'd better get to the vet," Ms Clifford said.

She then took off on foot with Gypsy to the vet, leaving her good samaritan standing on the street, restraining the dog.

She did not know even know his name.

"`The dog calmed right down as soon as Gypsy wasn't there. It's lucky Gypsy is a big dog," Ms Clifford said.

"I was screaming. If the guy hadn't driven by I don't think my dog would be here.

"I pretty much owe him my dog's life."

Gypsy received six puncture wounds in her neck, some going all the way to the bone.

Now on antibiotics and healing nicely, she still bears psychological wounds.

"She won't go outside. She's scared of the little dog out the back and she used to play with it all the time," Ms Clifford said.

The council fined the owner of the attacking dog $292, in accordance with the Domestic Animals Act.

But this does not cover Ms Clifford's veterinary bills.

Ms Clifford urged residents in the community to ensure their dogs were properly fenced.

"If you're going to own an aggressive dog, make sure it's contained," she said.