A woman needed stitches on her face after she was bitten by a dog that was attacking her own pups in Dumfries and Galloway.
Police have launched a probe over the incident which took place in on the Riverside Walk in Newton Stewart on Monday, July 6.
The woman was walking her dogs when a large wide set black and white mongrel, believed to be a bull mastif cross with a staffy, approached them.
The woman did not see an owner with the dog.
Sensing the dogs were potentially about to fight, the owner tried to move the mongrel away, but then it jumped up and bit her mouth causing her a serious injury.
She was rushed to hospital where she was given maxillofacial treatment including a large number of stitches inside and outside her mouth.
Officers are urgently trying to trace the owner, and dog, and have asked members of the public to come forward.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We desperately want to trace the dog and its owner as soon as possible to prevent further harm being caused to other people or animals.
"If you have any information in relation to this incident that may assist officers with their enquiries, please phone us on 101 and quote Ref 1230 of 7th July.
"Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
