Child left ‘bleeding’ after dangerous dog bite at Oxfordshire park

The incident occurred while the young girl was in Edmonds Park in Didcot between 1.45pm and 2pm on Wednesday, March 11.

Thames Valley Police says the child had approached a woman who was entering the park with a ginger Cavapoo called ‘Boris’.

After confirming the dog was comfortable around children, the woman allowed the child to briefly hold the lead.

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The woman is described as a white female, around 50 or 60 years old, wearing a multi-coloured scarf and a black jacket.

She also gave the child dog treats, which she fed to the dog without incident.

A short time later, after handing the lead back, the child stroked the dog and was bitten on the left hand.

Neither the adult present nor the dog owner saw the bite occur, and the dog did not growl or yap beforehand.

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The bite caused a superficial wound, breaking the skin and leaving tooth marks on the middle finger and the finger next to it, and the child’s hand was bleeding.

A statement from Thames Valley Police said: “We are appealing for witnesses to a dangerous dog incident in the park in Didcot.

“Anyone with information or relevant footage should please call 101 or make a report via our website, quoting reference number 43260121189.”