A blind pensioner told today how a dog owner walked away after his bull terrier attacked her and her guide dog.

Gillie Gillibrand, 71, was left sprawled on the pavement and calling for help after the terrier bit her hand.

Police are hunting the dog owner, who could face prosecution after the incident at Bognor.

Mrs Gillibrand, 71, said: "I am utterly appalled that this man just walked away.

"I was on the ground and he did not even speak to me to ask if I was injured or anything."

Mrs Gillibrand had just left her home and was walking along Scott Close when she heard a dog rush towards her and six-year-old guide dog Serena.

She said: "The dog was attacking Serena, who was twisting and turning to get away. The harness got into a tangle and I fell on the ground."

The dog bit Mrs Gillibrand on the thumb and her black Labrador on the neck.

She said: "I heard the sound of footsteps which then passed me and went off with the dog. I called out to him to wait because I needed his name but he did not stop."

A woman who witnessed the incident from her car went to help.

She later described the vicious dog as a Staffordshire bull terrier-type, walked by a short, stocky man aged 35 to 40 and wearing a brown leather jacket.

After the attack Serena, Mrs Gillibrand's fourth guide dog since 1966, never left her owner's side.

Mrs Gillibrand had a tetanus injection and her dog has been put on antibiotics.

A Sussex police spokesman said: "The woman was left crying and bleeding on the pavement but the man just walked off, which was despicable."

Witnesses to the incident on Friday afternoon are asked to contact PC McHenry at Bognor police station on 0845 6070999.