Cyclist suffers serious injury after being bitten by dog in Lancaster

Police were called to the scene by the ambulance service, who were treating the cyclist – a woman in her 40s from Morecambe – for a serious leg injury.

It was reported that the victim and her friend had been riding on the cycle track behind the Priory Church and castle, close to the Millennium Bridge, and had to brake to avoid a woman and child.

A short time later they were approached by a man with two brown Staffy Bullmastiff-type dogs, who accused them of almost knocking into his child.

It was reported to the police that he then slapped one of his dogs to the head, causing it to bite the victim on her upper leg and stay attached to her for several minutes before she managed to break free.

She was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary with a potentially life-changing leg injury. She has since been discharged.

No arrest has been made at this stage.

As part of their ongoing enquiries, police now need to identify and speak to the dog walker.

He is described as being white, 5ft 9ins to 5ft 10ins tall, of a slim build with short back and sides brown hair. He is thought to be in his early 30s and was not wearing a top.

The incident happened at 4.23pm on Thursday May 5, but police have only today, Thursday June 2, issued their appeal.

PC Richard Hannaford of Morecambe Police said: “This incident has left the victim with a very serious injury.

“As part of our ongoing enquiries we need to identify and speak to the man who was walking the dogs. I would urge anybody who knows who he is – or the man himself – to contact the police as soon as possible.

“Similarly, I would ask any witnesses or anybody with CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage which could assist our investigation to please get in touch.”

You can email the police at [email protected] or call 101, quoting log 0917 of May 5, 2022.