A bulldog jumped up and bit a woman's stomach - badly injuring her and sparking a police appeal for witnesses.

The victim in her 30s had been walking along Perry Green, Hemel Hempstead, and had a brief conversation with the "dangerously out of control" animal’s owner before it leapt at her.

She was left “shaken” with “significant” puncture wounds to her stomach, Herts Police said.

Today (July 22), the force appealed for the owner or anyone who saw the attack, which happened at around 7am on Thursday, July 11, to come forward.

The owner was described as a slim, white female, and around 5ft 3ins tall. She wore a black short-sleeved gillet, grey long-sleeved T-shirt, black leggings, brown boots with sheep fleece, and had short grey hair and glasses.

PC Jessica Gonzalez-Green said: “Our enquiries are continuing, and I am appealing for anyone with information to please come forward.

“The incident has understandably left the victim shaken and with a significant injury.

“I am appealing for the dog owner to please come forward as while she did subsequently attend the victim’s address to check on her welfare, no details were obtained."

Information can be emailed to Jessica.Gonzalez-Green@herts.police.uk or reported via non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 41/58223/24.