Telford mother bitten in dog attack

A Shropshire woman was bitten on the leg by a dog as she tried to protect her young children when it tried to attack them.

Gemma Onions was walking her mother's dog along an alleyway with her two daughters in Leegomery, Telford, when another dog believed to be a Yorkie type bit her.

The incident happened about 5.30pm on Sunday and police are now trying to trace the owner of the dog involved.

She said: "I was walking with my mum's dog and my daughters, Natasha, who is six, and Megan, who is four.

"We were between Anson Drive and Millstream Way along a little alleyway. The dog was on a lead.

"This old gentleman with his wife came along with three dogs, which were off the lead.

"I told the man to get the little dog away, because my dog doesn't like other dogs. He didn't pay any attention. His dog started going for my dog.

"It went for my girls, they were standing by me. I pulled my eldest daughter, Natasha, away because I could see the dog going for her."

Hospital

The 27-year-old said: "The next minute the dog came behind me and bit the back of my leg. I have got a bite wound and teeth marks.

"I went to the Princess Royal Hospital. They disinfected the wound and I am on antibiotics for seven days. They said it was best for it to heal itself."

She said the dog had left five tooth marks and two big scratches on her leg.

Mrs Onions said: "I screamed out and said 'Your dog has just bitten me.' The gentleman came over and said 'Sorry'.

"He tried to take the dog away and didn't put him on a lead."

She said: "Natasha and Megan were crying and screaming that this dog had bitten me. The couple weren't even bothered about it."

Mrs Onions said: "I am really upset, more so because he was not concerned and was not bothered about it.

"I just want to put a warning out that when people walk their dogs they should put them on a lead."

She added her children were too frightened to go near dogs now.

Chris Ammonds, Telford police spokesman, said the incident had been reported to them.

He said scenes of crime officers were also visiting Mrs Onions and inquiries were taking place in the area to trace the dog and its owner.

By Lisa Rowley