A PENSIONER has been attacked by a dog who had to be pulled off her as she lay on the ground.

The 63-year-old was walking in Firs Street in Falkirk when the brown dog charged at her shortly after 11am last Wednesday.

The woman was rushed to Forth Valley Royal Hospital and had to be treated for her injuries before later being discharged.

Police are trying to trace the dog and its owners.

Inspector Billy Drummond, of Police Scotland, said: “Whilst this was a very bad dog bite it could have been so much worse if it was a child that had been attacked.

“The woman sustained a painful injury as a result of this incident, which could have, quite easily, been avoided if a leash had been used on the animal. It is worth remembering that it is the responsibility of dog owners to ensure their pets are under control at all times when in public."

Our sister newspaper, The Falkirk Herald reported that the dog may have been a rottweiler, pit bull or terrier.

The victim had came from Victoria Road heading towards Thornhill Road when she saw the dog, who in the company of three men and a woman.

After walking past the group she heard a whistle from behind and turned round to see the dog running towards her before jumping up and knocking her to the ground and puncturing her right arm with a bite.

The men and woman rushed to pull the dog off her and helped her to her feet, but disappeared with the animal into a nearby communal stairwell.

The three men are described as white, in their 40s and all had thin faces. One of the men wore a tan leather jacket and had dark hair while another had grey hair.

The woman is said to be in her 30s, white, medium/heavy build with dark coloured hair worn in a bobbed style and with a thin face.