THE owner of a dog which bit off a woman’s finger and ate it says her pooch is more of a dope than a devil.

Glamour model Faye Taylor, 19, of Bostall Lane, Abbey Wood, has hit back at claims her dalmatian is a devil dog and a danger to children.

Two-year-old Trotter bit off and ate the index finger of Carol Steeden, of Fuchsia Street, Abbey Wood, when she tried to stop him fighting with her springer spaniel Bruno.

Miss Taylor says Miss Steeden is to blame for getting her hand in the way when dogs were fighting.

Former Abbey Wood Secondary School pupil Miss Taylor looked through her pet’s excrement in the hope of finding Miss Steeden’s finger to give back to her.

Miss Taylor said: “When the policeman told us Trotter had eaten the finger we were looking in his toilet but never found it.

“I’m just scared we will be forced to put him down after this. He is great with kids and this was just an accident.” Her mother, Denise Taylor, 51, of Felixstow Road, Abbey Wood, is a voluntary worker for the Cats Protection League and rejects claims made by Miss Steeden they are bad owners and Trotter should be put down.

She said: “We are not bad owners and Trotter is no devil dog.

“He is more like Dopey than a devil dog.

“Carol’s dog is just as aggressive as Trotter.” Miss Steeden, who believes Trotter is a risk to children and should be destroyed, is hoping Miss Taylor will be charged under the dangerous dogs act.

She said: “I cannot believe what they are saying.

“I do not have an aggressive dog.

“These people are liars and irresponsible dog owners.” Miss Steeden, an unemployed mother of one, could get thousands of pounds in compensation from Miss Taylor’s pet insurance, which covers her up to £1 million in damages, for the attack which occured on October 11.