A WOMAN who was left with horrific injuries after she was viciously attacked by four dogs on a County Durham beach wants to spread awareness after sharing her experience of the attack.

Harriet Bowen was walking along Horden beach with her partner Matthew on Saturday, March 26, when she noticed four Staffordshire Bull Terrier type dogs off the lead around 50 metres ahead of her.

After hearing a commotion around the dogs, the County Durham resident has ‘limited’ memory of the fast-paced incident but remembers the four pets running towards her and two of them sinking their teeth in.

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As the second dog bit her, she fell to the floor and worried that her face, neck, and body were going to be the new target of the Staffies.

Following the incident, Harriet sustained two large bite marks on her legs and extensive bruising, which she required further medical treatment for, as well as the fact she was in a state of shock.

Despite working as a nurse and having experience in crisis and high-pressure situations, the incident has also meant that she stays away from certain breeds of dogs.

The Northern Echo: Harriet and her partner Matthew. Picture: HARRIET BOWEN.Harriet and her partner Matthew. Picture: HARRIET BOWEN.

Above all, though, she also wants to use her experience to warn others about the dangers that dogs off the lead can have – especially to children and young people, who could have been left with life changing injuries, according to Harriet.

She said: “I was very lucky not to have more serious injuries, but I did have thick trousers on at the time. We were minding our own business when the attack happened – it was scary for me and my partner.

“While it was awful what happened to me, my legs were exactly the height that a child’s face would have been – it could have ended in a death or a very serious injury.

“Even though my bruises have gone – there’s still a lump there and I needed antibiotics.

The Northern Echo: Harriet sustained two bite marks and extensive bruising during the attack. Picture: HARRIET BOWEN.Harriet sustained two bite marks and extensive bruising during the attack. Picture: HARRIET BOWEN.

“I’m thankful that I had thick trousers on, and I don’t have little legs because it could have been catastrophic. We’ve also recently got a puppy too, which would have been ripped to shreds by those four big dogs.”  

Alongside her shock from the attack, Harriet was also shocked by the reaction of the owners of the four dogs that attacked her, who ran off from the scene, despite initially seeming concerned.

She has now called on dog owners for more responsibility when it comes to putting their pets on leads.

The Northern Echo: As the second dog bit her, she fell to the floor and worried that her face, neck, and body were going to be the new target of the Staffies. Picture: HARRIET BOWEN.As the second dog bit her, she fell to the floor and worried that her face, neck, and body were going to be the new target of the Staffies. Picture: HARRIET BOWEN.

Harriet added: “Once the owners saw that they’d drawn blood, they were off. My partner pursued them along the path, and they eventually stopped.

“However, we suspect they handed over fake details. This is an awful thing to do.

“I love dogs, but dog owners need to be accountable and if vicious dogs attack people, there could be a case for putting them down. What’s the alternative?

“If I now see vicious dogs, I cross over the street and I’m wary around certain breeds. I just want to spread awareness.”

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