DOG trainer Julia Currant had to carry her elderly pet border collie Judy to safety after an attack by a lurcher left her badly injured. Julia frequently walks her dogs in the woods at Potters Crouch near Bedmond, a popular haunt with dog walkers. But at

DOG trainer Julia Currant had to carry her elderly pet border collie Judy to safety after an attack by a lurcher left her badly injured.

Julia frequently walks her dogs in the woods at Potters Crouch near Bedmond, a popular haunt with dog walkers.

But at lunchtime on Tuesday last week she was walking her border collies Judy and Jemma, when they were approached by a man walking towards them with two lurchers and a black cross-breed.

The bigger of the lurchers mounted a ferocious attack on Judy sinking his teeth into the top of her leg and biting her.

The man attempted to kick his dog to force it to stop the attack but struck 13-year old Judy instead. Meanwhile his black dog had chased after Julia's other dog Jemma.

Julia, who lives at nearby Pimlico, realised Judy could not walk but needed urgent veterinary attention. She took off her waterproof trousers and used them as a makeshift sling in which to carry her dog.

She said: "I thought the man was going off to find his dog then would come back to help me. He had been apologetic, saying his dog had never behaved like that before when I suggested it should be muzzled. But he just disappeared and I was left with a half-hour walk back to my car carrying Judy."

She described the man as being in his early 30s, around five feet five inches tall with short dark hair.

Judy's age meant she was severely traumatised by the incident but she was lucky that the bite had narrowly missed severing an artery in her leg.

Julia reported the incident to the police because she was anxious to protect other dogs being walked in the woods.

A police spokesperson said: "Anyone with any information on this man and his dogs is asked to contact Pc Christine Clayton on 0845 330022.