A very similar attack happened to my dog last Sunday whilst we were doing the RSPCA sponsored dog walk in Attercliffe / Tinsley area.
The attack actually happened just behind the Meadowhall South/Tinsley tram stop as we were walking up to the canals.
The dog owner was a youngish bloke, late teens early twenties with shaggy brown hair, his pitbull cross bull mastiff looking dog was a cream beige colour with brown markings. The dog was on a lead and so was my springer spaniel, as we walked past eachother his dog bit my dogs face and locked his jaw, it was stuck on my dog for at least 5-6 minutes. It was so awful, luckily my family were with me, they kicked this dog so many times, to try and get it off but it wouldnt budge! The owner was completely useless, just stood and watched it happen .. it eventually took a blow to the stomach - at the same time as a blow to its throat to make this dog release my dog. It was so horrible and my young daughter witnessed it all.
This vicious dog needs to be muzzled when out in public.
As soon as his dog had let go of mine he scarpered, never apologised, just went! My dog is ok thank goodness, he has a really nasty wound, actually a hole in his face, he is on a combination of anti biotics and anti inflammatorys and the vet expects him to make a full recovery.
We think this dog lives around the Tinsley area as this owner and his friend were on foot. I have reported it to the police, but i dont think anything will come of it.
It worries me as it attacked my dog for no reason, it could easily be a child next time.