An agressive dog sunk its teeth into the leg of a woman who was strolling along the beach.

The victim was walking with a friend at the Middleton-on-Sea end of Climping beach at about 4.50pm on Saturday April 25 when she passed a man sitting beside a German Shepherd.

The dog launched itself at the woman and bit her thigh. She needed hospital treatment and was prescribed antibiotics.

The dog's owner made no real response to the attack and police are keen to trace him and to have his dog assessed by a dangerous dogs officer in case it presents a hazard to others.

The owner was a white man, 5'8", mid 40s, with straggly greying hair, facial stubble and glasses. His dog, which had been on a lead, appeared to be quite old, with long greying black matted fur.

PC Fiona Turnbull, of the Chichester response investigation team, said: "The victim suffered a serious injury and extensive bruising to her leg. It is important that we trace the person and animal responsible." Anyone who saw the incident or who may know the dog owner/handler is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting serial 1468 of 25/4.