A WOMAN was bitten by a dog while walking through a cemetery.

The incident happened at 7.45pm on Monday, June 23, when the woman was walking through the cemetery at Holy Trinity Church in Southwick, Sunderland, onto the path of Northern Way.

"She was approached by the dog, which was an Alsatian that was not with anyone and not wearing a collar," a spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said.

"The dog jumped up at the woman, and as she put her hands out to protect herself she suffered serious injuries to both of her hands and required hospital treatment.

"The dog, a black Alsatian with a bushy tail, ran off down an alleyway between the back of James Street and Southwick Primary school field."

Officers are carrying out enquiries into the incident and appealing for the owners of the dog, or anyone with information, to get in contact.

Any witnesses should ring Northumbria Police on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference 531 300614 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.