Sussex woman injured in dog attack

Margaret Gilmartin, from Sandown Avenue in Goring, was speaking to a neighbour while visiting her son in nearby Ferring when a French Bulldog got her hand “in its jaws”.

The 77-year-old said the dog was trying to drag her into the front gate and she was yanking her hand away.

The attack on August 26 has left her unable to wash her hair, cook dinner or drive properly.

Margaret said it has left her unable to complete simple tasks (Image: Supplied)

Sussex Police are treating the matter as a “serious incident”.

Margaret said: “It is right down to the bone. It is nasty, it is across my right hand and palm and back of the hand. I had my hand on the gate, I went over to be sociable and these two dogs came out growling and it got my hand in its jaws.

“It was trying to drag me into the gate and I went back to my son’s house. I went to Worthing Hospital.

“I went from Worthing Hospital to East Grinstead Hospital. I have been getting it looked at twice a week by a nurse.

The injury to Margaret's hand (Image: Supplied)

“It is a very dangerous dog and I have had no response from the man. I cannot wash my hair or cook a dinner, I cannot drive properly. I want to know what is going on with the investigation. The pain was bad, I was too frightened to see what damage was done. I have been on painkillers.

“I have never been so depressed all my life, it has taken all my liberties away. It has taken everything away from me.

“I’m going to be scarred for life on the top of my hand.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Police received a report about a woman being injured by a dog in Onslow Close, Ferring, during an incident on August 26.

“Officers are investigating the matter as a serious incident, and providing support to the woman who was injured.”