An animal lover is facing plastic surgery after being attacked by a dog.

Ruby Marriott, 59, from Shadwell Road, Berinsfield, suffered extensive bite wounds when she was attacked while walking her own dog in Dorchester recreation park on Sunday.

Wallingford police, who are appealing for witnesses, have described her injuries as some of the worst they have seen in a dog attack. They are so severe she may need plastic surgery.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the incident which took place on Dorchester recreation ground on Sunday afternoon.

Mrs Marriott, a retired driving instructor, needed hospital treatment for internal and external injuries after fending off the Afghan hound which had tried to attack her 11-year-old Dobermann, Cassie.

The attack only came to an end when Mrs Marriott, who is an experienced dog-owner, laid on top of her attacker, forcing it to the ground. She said: "I was just walking my dog on the recreation ground when the other dog came at us like a rocket.

"It went for my dog, but being a coward she yelped and ran away. It then got hold of my leg and then my hand. I didn't know where else it would go for so I wrestled it to the ground. After that it calmed down and just sat there."

Two men helped remove the dog, which was seized by police and is being held in kennels in Cholsey.

She added: "I have had dogs all my life and I love animals but I don't like it when they are allowed to run around loose.

"It could have been a child, who could have been seriously maimed. I have had very extensive internal and external stitches and if it had been a child's face it would have been scarred for life."

Area beat officer for Dorchester and Berinsfield, Pc John Cornelius said the injuries were the worst he had ever seen. He said: "I was shocked when I saw the injuries. I have never seen anything like it before - they were horrendous."

WPc Carron Chesterman of Wallingford police added: "It was an horrendous attack. It is fortunate Mrs Marriott has had a dog for such a long time and is quite confident with them."

She added: "We need to trace any witnesses, particularly the two men who were near the tennis courts on the recreation ground who came to Mrs Marriott's aid."

A Dorchester man has been reported in connection with the incident.

Story date: Friday 05 February

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