AN ELDERLY woman who was bitten by a dog in a frightening and unprovoked attack in a Bournemouth park is warning other walkers to be on their guard.

Margaret Shore, 70, was walking on Redhill Common when a dark mongrel dog launched itself at her, leaving a painful, bleeding wound on her leg.

The long haired animal, which was not on a lead, bit through her coat and tracksuit trousers.

Margaret, of King George Avenue, Moordown, said: “The dog suddenly saw us and just charged. I didn’t take a lot of notice as I know dogs will come and jump on you, but as soon as it got to me I knew this was different. He was aggressive.”

She turned away, but barking and growling loudly, it clamped its jaw onto the back of her thigh.

A woman and another smaller dog were with the dog when it struck, near the Horse and Jockey pub in Wimborne Road, at around 10.30am on Thursday.

Mrs Shore’s husband Roger shouted at the dog to get off and asked the woman to put it on a lead.

Mrs Shore, who had left her own pet dogs at home that day, added: “If it had not been for him shouting his head off, which astounded the dog, I could see it going to have another go.

“I was well wrapped up because it was cold, but if it had been summer or if it had been a child, for goodness sake, I dread to think.”

Their shocked GP warned her to report the incident to the police.

Days after the drama, Mrs Shore’s leg is still bleeding and the couple are worried about other people who use the common.

Mr Shore said: “People really need to keep an eye out for this dog. The biggest concern is trying to somehow let people know that it’s about, and it’s unpredictable.

“If the next victim is a child, then that would be horrible.”

The woman with the dog is described as around 40 years old, with long, straight, dark hair and glasses. A Dorset police spokesman confirmed that a complaint had been received and an investigation was under way.