A RUNNER was attacked by a German Shepherd which bit his thigh after he stopped to catch his breath at Canford Heath.

The man was running on the heath on Sunday September 27 at around 12.30pm when the incident occurred.

Now police have appealed for witnesses to the incident, which left the man with a puncture wound.

The dog had to be pulled away from the man by one of the three people with it.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "The victim, a man aged in his 40s from Poole, was running on Canford Heath when he briefly stopped to catch his breath.

"At this point, a man and two women walked toward him with a black-haired German Shepherd that was carrying a stick. It is reported that the dog bit the victim’s thigh near to his groin, causing a puncture wound.

"One of the people with the dog forcibly got it away from the victim and put it back on a lead, while apologising to him."

The man is described as white, aged in his 40s, around six feet tall and of medium build with short brown hair that had a bit of grey in it. He was wearing blue jeans and a dark grey zipped-up hooded top.

The first woman is described as white, aged in her 40s, around five feet five inches tall and of slim build with blonde hair worn in a ponytail. She was wearing blue jeans and a black jacket.

The second woman is described as white, aged in her early 20s, also around five feet five inches tall and of slim build with blonde shoulder-length hair. She was wearing blue jeans and a black jacket.

Police Constable Jennie Sykes-Martin, of Dorset Police, said: “We have been carrying out a number of enquiries into this incident to try and identify the dog’s owners, but these have so far been unsuccessful.

“While I appreciate this incident took place a while ago, I am hoping the local community may recognise the three people and their dog from the descriptions given.

“I would urge anyone with any other information to assist my investigation to please get in touch.”

Information to Dorset Police on 101, quoting occurrence number 55200146228, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers linne on 0800 555 111.