A HAMPSHIRE woman suffered hand and face injuries as she tried to save her dogs from an attack by a bull mastiff.

Lisa Coundley was taken to hospital after the attack, which is now at the centre of a police investigation.

The mum of two spent the night in Southampton General Hospital following her ordeal as she walked her two cocker spaniels outside The Salmon Leap pub in Testwood Lane, Totton.

The dogs were set upon by the bull mastiff – which had no lead and whose owner was not there at the time.

As the mastiff growled at six-year-old dog Oscar and seven-month-old puppy Alfie, Lisa, 48, grabbed her dog and the mastiff by the collars to keep them apart.

But that didn’t prevent the mastiff attacking her dogs, biting them both on the neck.

As Lisa tried to save her dogs she was bitten on the hand and also suffered a black eye.

She said the attack lasted several minutes and the dog’s owner only arrived after she screamed for help.

Daily Echo:

Lisa Coundley with her dogs Oscar and Alfie

Lisa said the owner did not apologise for the dog’s actions and the attack has left her traumatised.

She said: “I am now afraid of other dogs. I have had to take my dogs for walks and it is really scary.

“I am worried that the same thing will happen again. What if a young child was with me? How would I know that it would not attack then?

“I am worried that it will attack children and other dogs in the area.”

Lisa, who lives in Totton, says her injuries, which needed stitches, are keeping her off work from her job as a dispenser at Boots the chemist in Romsey.

Oscar and Alife were taken to Vets at Home in Winchester Road, Southampton, where they were treated for bites.

Hampshire police say that inquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made.

If anyone saw the incident they can call 101 and ask for PC Jonathan Spencer from Hythe Police Station, quoting the reference number 44140428678.