Elderly woman bitten by dog on a lead

AN elderly woman needed medical attention after a dog bit her while she was shopping.

The woman and her husband were walking into Sainsbury’s, in Swadlincote, when the incident happened. A cane corso breed dog, which was on a lead being held by its owner, bit her on her right arm, police said.

She suffered a deep cut which was two inches long on her arm, as well as another shallow cut approximately two inches long, also on her arm.

East Midlands Ambulance Service attended the scene and cleaned her injuries. Later, steristrips were applied to her wounds and she was given antibiotics, said the spokesman.

Police got the description of the owner of the dog, as they had left before officers arrived.

Officers from the Swadlincote Safer Neighbourhood Team later attended an address and the woman occupant admitted it was her dog who attacked the shopper, said police. However, the dog had escaped after she had put it in the rear garden.

The following day – Monday – the dog warden received information as to where the pet was, and the animal was collected and signed over to the warden. An investigation is currently ongoing.

Officers from Derbyshire police have offered advice to anyone with a dog to keep them close by while around people, especially children. A spokesperson said: “You cannot leave a child with a dog unsupervised. We have also seen an increase in dog bites relating to children and adults, some being the owners.

“We would urge all dog owners to ensure their animals are supervised at all times, especially when children are kept in the same environment. The RSPCA does not recommend anyone leaving a young child alone with a dog, regardless of its size or whether it is a family pet.

“The police or South Derbyshire District Council dog wardens have powers to seize and destroy any dangerous dogs. Also, due to hot weather please keep dogs and pets indoors with plenty of water.”