A MAN threatened to "cut" a dog owner after his pet was confronted by an aggressive Alsatian.

Police have appealed for witnesses following an incident near the clifftop at Highcliffe on Wednesday September 16.

Officers said the victim, a man in his 20s, was walking his Alsatian near to Beacon Drive at around 7pm when he came across a man walking in the opposite direction with a small brown dog.

The dog was the size of a Jack Russell and had a green harness on.

A police spokesman said: "The victim recognised the man with the small dog as someone he had seen three or four times before and his Alsatian had been aggressive toward their dog on previous occasions.

"As they approached each other a verbal altercation took place. As the victim went to walk away he turned back and saw the suspect holding a black item three to four inches in length. The suspect made threats to ‘cut’ the victim.

"The victim believes the item he was holding may have been a folding knife, but he did not see a blade."

The man is described as white with a sun tan, aged in his 50s, around five feet nine inches tall and of average build with fair, short, balding hair and stubble. He was wearing a navy blue T-shirt and shorts.

Police Community Support Investigator Richard King, of Dorset Police, said: “We are making enquiries to try and identify the man involved in this incident and I would urge anyone with information that may assist our investigation to please come forward.

“I am also keen to speak to any witnesses, particularly a woman who was seen by the victim shortly after the incident and may have witnessed what happened.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting occurrence number 55200139924, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.