Police investigated two separate dog attacks in one day after a family’s pet was savaged by three bulldogs and a mastiff and a woman in her sixties was bitten.

Officers were called to reports that between 2.05pm and 2.15pm on Sunday, July 30, a woman’s dog was attacked by four other dogs on the footpath next to Marquis Lane, Harpenden.

It was reported that three bulldogs, who were not on leads, attacked the victim’s dog and during the incident a mastiff dog became free from its lead and also joined in.

A man and a woman, who were walking the four dogs, restrained them and the victim and her son took their dog away.

The dog had been gripped by its forelegs and throat by the three bulldogs and suffered an injury to its left foreleg causing it to limp.

The walkers of the four dogs are described as a man with brown hair parted in the middle who was wearing a green top and beige shorts and a woman who has long mousey brown hair and was wearing a green top.

Officers attended the location and carried out a search but the two people and their dogs were not found.

Police would like to speak to two men who saw the victim, her son and dog, shortly after the incident and may have information that could assist the investigation.

Officers were also informed by the ambulance service that a woman in her 60s had been bitten in a house in Clarendon Road, Harpenden, on Sunday at 11.22am.

She was taken to hospital to receive treatment for injuries on her arm and ankle.

A police spokesperson said they will investigate further if the woman gets in touch.

They said: “The ambulance service made police aware of an incident at 11.22am on Sunday, July 30 at a property on Clarendon Road, Harpenden.

“A third party report stated that a dog had bitten a woman in her 60s on the arm and ankle for which she required hospital treatment.

“Officers have not received a report from the woman at this time but would investigate should she make contact with police.”

Anyone with information that could help police is asked to call Hertfordshire Constabulary on 101, quoting crime reference F2/17/1462.