Policewoman savaged by bull terrier

The officer was responding to reports of a disturbance in the Whitleigh area of Plymouth when she was attacked yesterday, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

A 33-year-old local woman was arrested on suspicion of having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place. She was released on bail until September 16.

The officer was walking up the path to a property when the dog, believed to be a Staffordshire bull terrier, ran from the address and set on her, police said.

Another officer used a spray to incapacitate the animal.

Specialist dog-trained officers, and staff from Dartmoor Zoological Park and Estover Veterinary Hospital then went to the scene and sedated the dog.

A police spokesman said: "The officer has undergone a three-hour operation, which is said to have gone well. She is expected to be discharged from hospital later today.

"She is expected to be off work for some period of time.

"The dog has been seized by police and will undergo assessment to establish whether it is a banned breed."