Woman ‘badly bitten’ in Fife dog attack

Police are appealing for witnesses to help track down the dog's owner. Picture: John Devlin

The incident occurred at around 9.30pm on Thursday, March 26. A local female resident approached a girl who was tethering a white Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog to the railings outside a local take-away outlet at the Broom Shops, Linwood Drive, Leven.

On trying to engage with the teenager, she went to stroke the dog and it bit her on the arm. The woman sustained a significant injury, and was taken by the Scottish Ambulance Service to Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, where she received treatment.

Levenmouth officers would like to speak with the owner in an effort to bring the enquiry to a satisfactory conclusion and to determine that the dog’s vaccinations are up to date.

Community Sergeant Mike Collins said: “This has been an unfortunate incident which has resulted in a local woman being bitten quite badly on the arm.

“I need to identify the dog and its owner to establish the full facts and to ensure that safety measures can be out in place to prevent any future incidents with this dog.

“The incident highlights the danger of people approaching strange dogs in public. Whilst the lady’s intentions were to befriend and clap the animal, the dog’s reaction has been to bite her.

“I urge everyone, especially children, to heed my advice and to refrain from clapping dogs that are strange to them. To dog owners reading this article, please consider the use of a muzzle for your dog in public if there is any suggestion that your dog will react badly to the public.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.