A POLICE inquiry is continuing after a woman was attacked by a youth as she attempted to rescue her dog from a fight with a bull terrier.

The 41-year-old woman, who may need reconstructive facial surgery, was walking her two dogs in Borough Park, off Redcar Lane, Redcar, when the attack took place.

A group of teenagers were sitting in the children's play area. Police say one of them had a brindle coloured bull-terrier, which was encouraged to attack the woman's smaller dog - a Yorkshire terrier.

As she tried to protect her pet, she was badly bitten on the arm.

Still defending her dog, she was subjected to a violent assault by a youth, who kicked her in the face while the bull terrier was still attacking her.

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, suffered a badly fractured cheek bone and severe bruising to her face as well as injuries to her arm.

Police say the woman was extremely shocked and distressed by the incident and needed hospital treatment for her injuries.

PC Kerry Lewis, from Redcar Community Policing Team, said: "This is a sickening and cowardly attack on a defenceless woman.

"Her injuries are quite severe and she may now need reconstructive surgery to her face.

"My appeal is two-fold. Initially to anyone who knows the identity of anyone in the group of youths in Borough Park, and secondly to parents or members of the group to contact me.

"I ask that they approach me before I come looking for them.

"This was an unprovoked act of thuggery that will not be tolerated within the Redcar area."

Anyone with information about the assault last Friday, between 7.30pm and 8pm, is asked to contact PC Lewis at Redcar police on (01642) 302626.