The 61-year-old regularly walks her own dog Angus, a West Highland white terrier, in the area and has never encountered any problems before.
She now fears the dog, which was unknown to her, may attack again.
She said: “I’m in such a state of shock about it all.
“The Staffie was off the lead and its owner was some distance away. It came up to Holly and bit her under the neck and all down her side.
“I had to leave her to go and get help and, when I turned around, it bit the back of my leg.”
Christine had to have a tetanus injection and has been prescribed antibiotics after the attack, while Holly, a collie, had to have her wounds treated by a vet.
Christine, who lives in Blackhall, said: “She is my brother’s dog and I was only walking her because he is in hospital waiting for a bypass operation. We have to keep an eye on her. She’s an old lady, and is very placid. She nearly died with the shock.
“I think the dog that did this needs stopping. I’m no dog expert, but if it’s done this once, I’m sure it could do it again.”
She added: “It’s a real dog-walking community that walks around there and I would hate for it to happen again.”
(Sunderland Echo - Nov 4, 2011)
