A MAN received a puncture wound after being bitten by a large dog in an apparently unprovoked attack in Swanage.

Officers investigating the reported dog bite incident are appealing for the public’s help to locate the owner.

At 3.50pm on Monday December 20, a local man aged in his 20s was cycling home from work when he approached a group of around four people walking a dog at the junction of Ulwell Road and Corvesgate.

It is reported that without provocation the dog barked at the victim and then bit him on the shin. One member of the group, a man who is believed to be the owner, grabbed the dog by the scruff of the neck and pulled it away, but not before the dog had tried to bite him again.

The victim sustained a puncture wound to his leg.

The dog is described as a large Collie German Shepherd cross, black and white in colour with a grey shadow. The group also had a Deerhound type dog with them.

The owner is described as a white man, five feet nine inches tall, aged around 60 years old and of medium build. He had scruffy grey hair that came just below his ears, a medium-length grey beard and wore a knitted coat. Another member of the group was a woman who was aged around 18 years old, five feet two inches tall, of slim build and with long straight bleached blonde hair. She wore a black puffer jacket, grey jeans and white trainers.

Police constable Jennie Sykes-Martin, of Dorset Police, said: “We are carrying out enquiries into this incident and I would urge any witnesses or anyone with information that might assist our investigation to please get in touch.

“I would also like to appeal to the owners of this dog to please come forward so we can take your account of what happened.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online/, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55210204363.

Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.