A police officer who was called to a home suffered serious stomach injuries after she was mauled by a dog, it emerged today.
The female officer visited the house after reports of a disturbance but was attacked by the Staffordshire Bull Terrier as she walked up the garden path.
Police say an unsecured dog from the address ran at the officer and several colleagues who were forced to deploy pepper spray.
The dog was eventually fought off but one officer had been mauled and suffered serious arm and stomach injuries.
Police in Plymouth, Devon, said a 33-year-old local woman was arrested on suspicion of having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place.
Specialist dog-trained officers, staff from Dartmoor Zoo and vets later sedated the dog following the incident at 12pm on Monday.
A police spokesman said: ”An officer was taken to hospital with serious arm and stomach injuries after being attacked by a dog.
”Officers attended an address after receiving reports of a disturbance in the street.
”As police arrived and attempted to walk up the outside path of a property, an unsecured dog from the address ran and attacked officers.
”The dog was only driven off when an officer deployed incapacitant spray at the animal.
”As a result of the attack, a female officer received serious arm and stomach injuries which required immediate hospital treatment.”
The 33-year-old suspect was released on police bail until September 16.
