Three people injured in Coquetdale dog attacks

Police are warning owners to keep their pets under control following the incidents, which all happened within a period of less than two weeks.

The first attack occurred on Wednesday, October 19. An RSPCA inspector, while investigating a case, was bitten on the leg by a dog in the Sharperton area.

Police have said that the dog and its owner were identified and the owner will be formally interviewed by officers.

Then, on Thursday, October 27, a postal delivery worker was bitten by a dog while delivering at an address in the Lorbottle area, suffering facial injuries.

In accordance with the victim’s wishes, the owner will be spoken to and advice given.

On Monday, October 31, a pedestrian was bitten on the thigh by a passing dog in the Tosson area. The owner of the dog was present, but the dog was not under control at the time of the incident. The casualty suffered a minor injury.

The dog and owner were identified and, after police spoke to the victim, advice was offered to the owner of the dog.

A police spokesman said: “All dog owners are asked to keep dogs under control in public areas.

“Owners are also reminded to keep their dog under control when visitors call at their house. Attacks of this nature on delivery staff can result in the Royal Mail refusing to deliver post at selected addresses.”

The incidents were flagged up in the recent Coquetdale Community Message update, for October. They were three of 15 crimes reported to police from October 1 to 31.

Other incidents included offenders breaking into a shed at Cragside and stealing an honesty box containing a small amount of cash. The incident, which is still under investigation, happened overnight on Monday, October 24.

Suspects have been arrested following two thefts from a windfarm in the Ottercopps area on Tuesday, October 11, and Wednesday, October 26.

Police are appealing for information after a bag of wood shavings were taken from a shed in the Swarland area overnight on Monday, October 10.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.