A WOMAN bitten by a dog on a town centre retail park has backed a police appeal to trace the owner.

Jean Dunston, 55, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, was shopping with her husband David yesterday morning when she passed a woman walking a German Shepherd on Grimshaw Park.

The dog ran and jumped at Jean, biting her hand, leaving a three-and-a-half-inch gash.

The ambulance and police were called while the dog owner walked off.

Now officers want to trace her to ensure it does not happen again.

Jean, who is retired, said: “I saw this lady with the dog and gave it a wide berth because it was on a retractable lead.

"I asked if it bit and she said ‘Not really, but . . .’

“At that point it ran forward and bit my hand.

“It was pumping with blood. She just said ‘I’m sorry’ and walked off as I went to the nearest shop to try and stop the bleeding.”

The dog owner was white, aged around 40, with brown short hair and wearing a blue T-shirt with a white motif and dark trousers.

She was last seen walking towards Halfords. The dog is approximately 18 months to two years old.

Jean, who has two bull terriers and used to keep Alsatians, said the attack had made her very wary.

She was taken to accident and emergency at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Jean said: “A member of staff said she had been in the car park since 9am, possibly training it.

"She should have more control. The height it bit me at, it could have been my granddaughter’s face.

"The owner could get a warning if it’s the first time, but I’d feel guilty if it went on to bite again.”

Town centre Sergeant Alan Clayton said: “We need to speak to the dog owner because the worst case scenario is that this happens again, to a child.

“If this is the first incident we would usually warn the person and tell them to muzzle the dog.”

Anyone with information should contact Blackburn town centre police on 01254 353576 or 0845 1253545.