A JOGGER needed 40 stitches after being attacked by a dog while out running on Saturday morning.

She is still in North Manchester General Hospital following surgery on her leg and is expected to be discharged tomorrow.

The woman, in her early 40s, was pulled to the ground by what police are describing as a German shepherd-type dog, who was off the lead at the time.

She is said to have "horrific" injuries.

The dog owners – who were walking two German shepherd-type dogs at the time - pulled the dog off her but fled from the scene, leaving her on the floor.

The attack happened at about 8am near Whitehead Lodges, off Lowercroft Road, Bury, which is popular with runners, walkers and dog owners.

Police are now appealing for the public’s helping in tracing the owners, saying: "It is so vital that the owners and dogs are traced before something like this happens again."

Jonathan Wood, a friend of the woman, said: “The two dog owners just walked off and left her as she asked them for help.

“For someone to do that is inexplicably inhumane.

“She managed to walk to a nearby house and ask for an ambulance to be called. The fact she is being kept in hospital indicates the severity of her injuries.

“She runs daily in that area and lives no more than half-a-mile from where she was attacked by the dog."

Mr Wood, who lives nearby, added: “I have seen pictures of the wounds and they are horrific.

“She is in shock about what has happened.

“What if it had been a child? The attack could potentially have been fatal.

“Families walk in that area.”

Police have issued a description of the dog owners,.

One was a white male said to be in his late 30s and approximately 5ft 10in tall; the second was a white female in her mid-20s, about 5ft 5in tall, with long dark hair and described as being heavily made up.

Anyone with information on the attack, or knows who owns two German shepherds in the Lowercroft and Ainsworth areas is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.