A 13-year-old girl needs reconstructive surgery on her face after she was mauled by a dog in Hertfordshire.

It happened on Sunday, June 26, at around 3pm in the field between Webb Close and Kyrkeby in Letchworth.

Police are asking for help tracing the owner of the dog – a black Staffordshire Bull Terrier – which was off the lead when it jumped up at her face and bit her nose.

Read More

The girl is now in hospital being treated for serious facial injuries, which will require reconstructive surgery.

The dog owner is described as a white man with red messy hair.

He was wearing a light blue T-shirt and dark shorts. He left the scene with the dog and officers are now trying to trace him.

Detective sergeant Michael Ball, who is leading the investigation, said: “We believe this man and his dog are well known in the area and we are appealing to anyone who saw the incident or who knows who the owner is, to get in touch as soon as possible.”

If you have any information, you can call 101 quoting the crime reference 41/50914/22.

Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

To receive breaking news alerts or newsletters sign up here.

Check out our Watford crime and court Facebook page here.