A TEENAGER needed hospital treatment after an argument with a dog walker.

The 14-year-old was in a group of around six youths walking along Burnham Gate, Burnley, close to McDonald’s, when he got into a row with a man, police said.

The pair then got into a fight, leaving the teenager with a puncture wound to his back and a cut to his head.

He was treated at the Royal Blackburn Hospital but was released later the same night.

Now detectives have launched an appeal for information in a bid to track down the man, who was walking a Staffordshire bull terrier when the incident happened at around 8.30pm yesterday.

Det Insp Sion Hall, from Burnley CID, said: “The group of teenagers were walking along Burnham Gate from Hollywood Bowl in Manchester Road when they got into an argument with the man.

“The youth ended up with a puncture wound and at this stage we are still enquiring as to what sustained it.”

Police today interviewed friends of the teenager in an effort to find out what caused the injury.

However, witnesses said they had not seen a weapon produced and now detectives want to speak to the dog walker.

Mr Hall added: “We would appeal for this man to come forward and clear up this matter.

“This was a potentially serious incident and we want to get to the bottom of it as soon as possible.”

The man was white, in his late 30s, around 6ft tall and of medium build.

He was wearing a dark-coloured tracksuit top and bottoms when he was walking the dog.

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Matt Capper at Burnley CID on 01282 472144 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.