Story By:  Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency:  Newsflash

This is the terrifying moment a Rottweiler leaps from the window of a moving car to attack a young couple with a toddler and a pet dog.

Shocking street CCTV footage shows the huge dog jumping through the open window in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, on 5th June and racing towards the horrified family.

Receptionist Glaucia Nanci de Souza was with her husband and three-year-old son waiting to cross the road.

Video footage shows the Rottweiler leaping up at her as she desperately tries to fend it off and holds her pet pooch out of reach.

As the attack dog continues, Glaucia screams in pain.

The Rottweiler reportedly left her arms and back covered in scratches from its front paws.

Glaucia’s husband can be seen shielding the couple’s young son while trying to kick away the Rottweiler.

Finally, the dog’s owner appears and drags it away by its collar.

A day after the attack (June 6) Glaucia told local media that she is still recovering from the dog attack, adding that the Rottweiler could have seriously harmed her young son.

She said: “The car window was half open and the dog, when he saw my puppy, started to get very anxious, barking.

“Then he was very fast and jumped out. I managed to lift my dog up and turn around, but the dog jumped forwards and ended up hurting my back.

“I started screaming a lot, there were some people on the street who came to help us.”

The receptionist said she suffered scratches on her arms and back, but is doing fine.

Glaucia said: “It could have been much more serious. It could have hurt my dog a lot more, hurt me, and also attacked my son.”

It is unclear if the local authorities are looking into the incident.