A WOMAN may need reconstructive surgery after she was kicked in the face by a youth as she attempted to rescue her dog, set upon by a bull terrier.

The 41-year-old woman was walking her three dogs in Borough Park, off Redcar Lane, Redcar, east Cleveland, on Friday, between 7.30pm and 8pm, when the attack took place.

As she walked through the park, she noticed a large group of youths, of both sexes, aged between 14 and 17, who were sitting in the children's play area in the park.

One of the group had a brindled bull terrier, which was deliberately encouraged to attack the woman's smaller dog, a Yorkshire Terrier.

As she tried to protect her dog, she was badly bitten by the bull terrier on the arm.

Still defending her dog, she was then subjected to a violent and terrifying assault by one of the male youths, 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 from the dog.

Police say the woman was left 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.

"I would like to stress that this was an unprovoked act of thuggery that will not be tolerated within the Redcar area.

"I am sure that some young people involved will have been horrified by the actions of others and it is essential that they contact me."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Lewis at Redcar police station, on (01642) 302626.