Volunteer mauled by neighbour’s dog

A WOMAN who was savagely attacked by a neighbour’s bull terrier is recovering in a high dependency unit in hospital.

Linda Woodhall, who is being treated at Leeds General Infirmary, was mauled by a dog which bit both her arms when she had called on Thursday to visit the dog’s owner.

Patricia Turner, a neighbour who heard screams coming from a house in Ravenscliffe, Bradford, said: “I could hear somebody shouting ‘get off, get off me, leave me alone’.

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“I thought it was the girl who lived there but she was in the garden knocking on the window. And she said, ‘the dog’s got Linda’. When they finally got her out, her arms were covered from top to bottom in blood.”

Miss Woodhall was taken to hospital where surgeons battled to save her arms. Gerry Andrews, manager of the Gateway Centre where Miss Woodhall volunteers, said: “Linda’s been a good friend to us in the community centre.

“She was supporting and befriending the young woman who lives in the house where she got attacked.

“Linda had gone across to see how her friend was and unfortunately then it all happened with the dog.

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“She’s got a big heart and that’s why it’s such a shame that this has happened to her. That’s why so many people are upset by this, because it’s Linda. She is in a stable condition but her arms have been mauled.”

A 34-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of possession of an illegal animal and remain in police custody.

Cannabis plants were also taken from the house. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis, and remained in custody last night.

The dog has been seized by authorities, police said.