Appeal for information after woman and her chihuahua attacked by dog in Hartlepool

Police in Hartlepool are seeking information after a 65-year-old woman and her chihuahua were attacked by a dog in Hartlepool.

Shortly before 10am on Saturday 27^th September, the woman was in her backyard on Sheriff Street when she noticed that Bobby, her chihuahua had gone into the back alley.  As she went out to the alley to look for Bobby, she noticed a large dog - described as having a light brown with a short coat and a face similar to an XL Bully or Staffordshire bull terrier cross breed - moving towards her. 

The dog’s owner was several metres away and on his mobile phone, shouting over to her “it’s alright love, the dog won’t hurt you.”

As she picked Bobby up, the dog pounced on her, knocking her over before biting her and Bobby.  As the woman fell, she hit her arm and face on the pavement. Bobby ran into the address and the dog continued to nudge and claw at the woman whilst she was on the ground.

The dog’s owner shouted at the dog and punched it with force, before tying a piece of rope around the dog’s neck and pulling it away.  He then left the scene, shouting at her and telling her that it was her fault.

The woman attended hospital for treatment to her injuries and was left with a broken elbow, bite marks to her body, arms, hands and fingers, a puncture wound to her index finger and cuts and bruises.

The man with the dog is described as white, around 40 years old, around 5’8” tall and slim build.  He was wearing sandy coloured combat trousers, a black T-shirt and a black cap.

Any witnesses to this incident, or anyone who knows who the dog owner and dog are, can call police on 101 quoting reference SE25185342.