DOZENS of people turned up for a peaceful vigil in Cathedral Square after two Staffordshire bull terriers were shot by police in London.

Animal rights activists and dog lovers gathered in memory of Millions and Marshall at Elgar Statue on Sunday afternoon.

At the foot of the statue of Sir Edward Elgar, those gathered lit candles and left posters and pictures of the two Staffies who were shot last month in east London. 

About 50 people gathered this afternoon (Sunday) while others stopped momentarily either to pay their respects or find out more information about the vigil which is one of a number taking place across the UK.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating what led to the deaths of the dogs and the tasering of a man by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service. 

Worcester News: Hannah King and Frankie at Cathedral Square Hannah King and Frankie at Cathedral Square (Image: NQ)

People at the vigil spoke of their devastation at the dogs' deaths.

Bev Royal said: "I'm scared to walk my Staffy now they are in no way as calm as Marshall and Millions. 

"They would've reacted the same.

"What happened was disgusting."

A video of the dogs being killed went viral on Twitter and several people gathered at the vigil said they found the clip harrowing.

Mary Stone said: "It wasn't fair what happened to them and they weren't given a chance to be proven innocent.

Worcester News: Will Carroll and Billy at Cathedral Square Will Carroll and Billy at Cathedral Square (Image: NQ)

"I was shocked when I saw the video, but the event has pulled everyone together as one voice."

Paul Cartwright said: "The video killed me. I wish I could have been there to calm it down.

"But if someone wanted to take my dogs, I would have lost it." 

People were also invited to sign a petition for an investigation into why the dogs were shot.

Organiser Hannah King said: "The turnout has been amazing, we've had a great turn out and the support has been incredible today.

"About 50 people have turned up and several people just walking past have also shown an interest."

Laura King also helped organise the event and said: "I'm so proud of my sister and how well she has done, I have lived with dogs my entire life and I was shocked, upset and devastated when I saw what had happened."

What happened to Marshall and Millions 

MPS officers were called to reports of a woman being attacked by a dog on Commercial Road in east London on Sunday, May 7.

A man was arrested at the scene and an officer discharged a Taser. Two dogs were shot dead by police at the scene.

The MPS referred two complaints it had received from witnesses to the incident to the IOPC which determined they required independent investigation on Thursday, May 11.