PARENTS have protested at what they say was an unbelievably slow response time to a 999 call when a playgroup assistant was savaged by a dog in front of several children.

They say police officers turned up almost 26 hours later - and then said such matters were the responsibility of the local authority and its dog warden.

The parents fear the dog could strike again.

Rosie Ross needed hospital treatment after a brown and white spaniel cross attacked her outside the Elim Pentecostal playgroup in Harrowgate Hill, Darlington.

"It's lucky it was me really, because if it had been a little one, it would have ripped their hand off," said Mrs Ross, a mother of one.

After the attack, on Monday, her friend and colleague Rachel Williams immediately dialled 999 and informed police while another colleague attended to Mrs Ross.

Further calls were made to the police when the dog was again sighted nearby.

Some of the children had earlier stroked the animal before it jumped at Mrs Ross, 40, biting her left hand, causing eight puncture wounds.

"There was blood all over," she said. "I can't really remember it properly, I know I felt like I was going to flake out.

"They said I was really white and I was sweating, I think it was the shock. It was very painful as well."

Mrs Williams took Mrs Ross to hospital and others went to look for the dog, as they feared it could attack a child at a neighbouring infant school.

She said that the police called at Mrs Ross's house to log the incident as an attack almost 26 hours after their initial call.

"It's unbelievable. This was a serious dog attack and even if it's not up to the police to catch the dog, they should have at least come out."

A spokesman for Durham Police said the attack was reported to the council's dog warden straight away on Monday.

He added: "People may contact the police to report a stray or dangerous dog but the responsibility for dealing with such matters lies principally with the borough council.

"Unless the animal's owner is traced, there is not much more we can do, but we have asked Mrs Ross to contact us if she sees the animal again."

But a spokesman for the council said it was not informed about the incident on Monday.

He urged anyone who saw the dog not to approach it, but to contact the warden immediately on (01325) 388558.