UNITED KINGDOM -- A woman who was savaged by a dog in Oldham despite it being on a lead has learnt that she may require plastic surgery.
The 45-year-old was attacked by a Dogue de Bordeaux as she walked through Daisy Nook Country Park off Stannybrook Road in Failsworth on 2 July at 1430 BST.
The dog's two owners pulled it away as it was biting her arm and ran off.
Police said the woman needed seven stitches and would need specialist surgery if it does not heal shortly.
'Permanently scarred'
Pc Andy Pickering said: "Everyone has either seen or read the tragic consequences of what can happen when a dog is out of control in a public place.
"Children and innocent members of the public have been attacked and permanently scarred so it is a very serious issue.
"Clearly if this dog can launch such a savage and unprovoked attack when out of control, then it could do it again so it is very important we find the owners."
He appealed for the owners or anyone who witnessed the attack to come forward.
The female owner was described as white, 5ft 9in tall, of slim build and in her 30s.
She had dark long hair tied back and wore cut off three-quarter length trousers, white trainers and a short sleeved T-shirt with blue stripes.
The second owner, a man, was described as white, 5ft 9in tall, of medium build and in his late 30s.
He had shaved hair and wore sunglasses and a short-sleeved T-shirt.
The Dogue de Bordeaux breed was featured in the Tom Hanks film, Turner and Hooch. They were originally bred in France as fighting dogs.
(BBC - July 10, 2011)
