A 'TRAUMATISED' couple are warning other dog owners to be on their guard after claiming their cockapoo was bitten on the face and left pouring with blood.

Rachel Bennett and James Seddon, of Charlock Close, Leigh, say they were walking their 20-month-old pooch to the vets for a routine visit when she was attacked by another dog.

The bite, which they claim came from a ‘terrier-type’ dog being walked by a woman and a young girl along Poplar Street at around 7.30pm on Tuesday, caused a deep puncture wound.

Police are investigating and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Rachel, 27, said: “The dog just went for Sadie and latched onto her face.

"We tried to get the other dog off Sadie, who is still so small, but when it let go her face was pouring with blood.

“The owner of the dog just said sorry and walked away. She gave us no indication that her dog was unfriendly.

"The incident has left us traumatised. It happened in a split second but the effects could have lasted a lifetime.

“I just hope that Sadie will not be afraid of other dogs with this having happened to her so early on in her life.

“She is such a lovely dog, it would be a shame for her to not be sociable any more because of this.

“People who own potentially dangerous dogs need to control them when out in public."

Sadie received immediate treatment from the vets she had appointment with.

Chad Northcott, who treated her at Vetcare Ltd, said: “Sadie had considerable bleeding from a deep puncture wound penetrating her right nasal bones and there was also blood coming from her right nostril.

“The poor owners were visibly distressed by the whole incident but Sadie was lucky that her bite was not too severe.

“Dog bites can be very serious as they have very strong jaw muscles and can cause severe crushing injuries to tissue, bone and vital structures.

“Sadie was very fortunate but the experience both her and her owners suffered was almost certainly completely preventable.

“I would urge pet owners to follow procedures to be more responsible.

"There is support out there which could hopefully prevent incidents like these.”

Anyone with information that may help people with their investigation should call 101.