POLICE are appealing for help to identify the owner of two Staffy dogs in the Winyates area of Redditch after one of them bit and injured a woman in the street on Monday, February 10.

The incident happened at about 7.30pm when the woman, who is in her 40s, was with her own dog on a footpath at the back of Holyoakes Close, near the Winyates Centre.

A man was walking with two Staffies, one white and the other brindle coloured, which were not on leads and approached the woman’s dog. As she tried to protect her dog by picking it up it was attacked by one of the Staffies who then bit the woman causing injuries to her face and one of her arms.

The man with the Staffies ran off towards the Winyates Centre, chased by another man who had come upon the scene, and initially hid by some bungalows before running back to Holyoakes Close where he disappeared from sight.

An ambulance was called to the scene and the woman’s injuries were treated by paramedics.

Police now want help to trace the owner of the Staffies who is white, thought to be around 35 years old, of medium build and with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark jacket, black and white jumper and dark trousers.

PC Carita Caldicott, who is investigating, said: “This was a nasty incident and the woman’s injuries could have been a lot worse. We have done some house-to-house inquiries in the area but so far we have not been able to identify this man. He is quite likely to live locally and I would urge anyone who knows who he is or where he lives to come forward and contact us on the non-emergency number 101.

“Anyone who does not want to talk directly to us can pass on the details anonymously by ringing the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”

Anyone with information should quote the incident reference 669-S-100214.