A WOMAN was savaged by a stray dog in the early hours of Monday morning (February 18).

The 39-year-old was at a bottle bank on Northgate in Guisborough when she spotted the dog, believed to be a bull mastiff or bull mastiff cross.

She was attacked after patting the animal on the head and had to be taken to James Cook University Hospital to receive stitches for leg wounds.

The dog is described as being fully grown and cream or sandy coloured with darker speckles to the top of its ‘flat’ head. It was not wearing a collar.

Any witnesses to the incident or anyone with information about the dog are asked to contact PC Kim Catcheside of Redcar and Cleveland Police on non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.