The owner of a dog which bit a cavapoo says his dogs are “good” and “friendly”.

The incident took place in Eaton Place, Kemp Town on Wednesday morning.

Reportedly, the man’s dog ran at a cavapoo being walked by its owner.

Witnesses said the larger dog attacked Hugo and bit him on the neck before shaking him “like a rag doll”.

The man, who did not wish to be named, has hit back at claims his dogs are bad, and said that this is the first time anything like this has happened.

He told the Argus: “My dogs are good dogs and they are friendly.

“I have friends with small dogs like French Bulldogs who said they could not believe the story because my dogs are never badly behaved.”

He said that his dogs are not dangerous, and added: “Because the woman who’s dog got bitten is smaller, everyone feels sorry for her.

“But my dog was badly hurt. He was hit on the head with a baseball bat and has bruising.

“I had to take him to the vet.”

He said the fact that the dogs have not been seized by police is proof that his dogs are safe.

“It was a freak accident. My dogs are not vicious.”

He said he is frustrated by the response and said it is “unfair” that he is being blamed.

The man added: "My dog did not go for the woman."

Sussex Police attended the scene after the incident.

PC Darren Penter said: “We recognise this was a distressing incident for those involved and the wider community.

“An investigation is underway to establish the exact circumstances of what happened and assessments have been made to determine whether the dogs involved pose any further risk to the public.

“They are not banned breeds and, at this stage, have not been seized, however as part of the investigation measures that could be put in place to prevent any further incidents will be considered.

“As this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to give any more information at this time.

“We are continuing to appeal for anyone with information or footage of the incident to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 256 of 04/01.”

Hugo has been recovering at the vets since the incident.