AN ELDERLY woman suffered serious injuries after she was attacked by a dog in the middle of the night.

The 70-year-old victim suffered several bite wounds to her arms during the terrifying ordeal outside a block of flats in Poole.

Police have charged a 35-year-old woman, who is believed known to the victim, in connection with the incident.

Emergency services were called to Grenville Court in South Road at around 12.30am on Tuesday, March 31.

A spokesman from the South Western Ambulance Service said the pensioner sustained “deep cuts” to both arms and a possible fracture to one. She was taken to Poole Hospital for further treatment.

Duncan Williams, who moved into the building around 12 weeks ago, said he was woken by shouting and banging during the night.

The 50-year-old said: “I was woken up by a hammering on the door and the sound of an awful row.

“I heard the dog barking. It was clearly very distressed.”

Mr Williams said armed police arrived at the building and took away the dog.

“There were about five police officers here with guns” he said.

“They took the dog. It was very large. It looked like a mastiff.”

A spokesman from Dorset Police said the victim suffered “serious injuries”.

Dawn Youngson, of South Road, has been charged with common assault and being the owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in connection with the incident.

She appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates Court on Wednesday, April 1, and was remanded in custody. The case was sent to Bournemouth Crown Court, where she is next due to appear on Thursday, April 8.