A PET owner appealed for help this week in tracing a couple, who gave her bogus contact details in Watford, after their retriever-type dog attacked her Jack Russell on Sunday, August 5.

Jackie Sant, 36, is deaf and she is devoted to her dog, Jess. She was with her 14-year-old daughter and her mother, who lives in Kings Langley, in Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead, at about 4.30pm when Jess, aged six, was attacked by a golden retriever-type dog.

Jess suffered severe injuries to her back.

The couple, said Miss Sant, seemed "genuine". They gave her a Watford address and phone number, saying they would pay the vet's bill.

Miss Sant, who had to pay £200 for Jess's treatment said: "I am not so bothered about the money. I am concerned that this dog is capable of attacking a child."

The attack on Jess was, she said, completely unprovoked and Miss Sant is appealing for anyone who knows a "heavily tattoed" couple, both with heavy facial piercings, who own such a dog to come forward.

A police spokesman said: "If anyone witnessed the incident who knows who these people contact Hemel police on 01442 271000."