A woman has had part of her finger bitten off in a “vicious” attack by a dog in Ballinamallard.

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, was out walking her dog on the Salloon Road, Ballinamallard around 3.30pm on Saturday April 13 when she was attacked by what was believed to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

The husband of the woman who was attacked spoke to The Impartial Reporter on behalf of his wife.

Explaining what had happened, he said: “My wife was walking the dog on the lead, as she was half way around what we would call the loop she heard a commotion and a girl who she knows came up to her with her dog, and said, ‘don’t go down there, we’ve just been attacked.’ Now this girl’s grown son, he’s home from uni and he’d be in his twenties, a good sized lad, he was down trying to hold this dog back but couldn’t hold it.”

Describing the dog as looking like a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the man continued: “It was that strong and it was trying to nip him. It ran up towards the two girls and the dogs and went straight for our dog and had it pinned to the ground.”

“My wife, she was in the middle of all this and she was trying to separate the dogs and the next thing she came out minus a finger,” said the man.

Police and an ambulance were called to the incident and the man commented that a number of people along the road tried to help.

“There was a young fella who did very well, he was working in Beatty’s coal yard. He heard the screaming and got into his car and went up to see what was happening, which was a great help,” said the man. He continued: “I know the other people involved, their dog ended up getting stitches at the vets, they were unhurt. Our dog, he had a few puncture marks but unfortunately my wife has lost her finger. She’s totally shaken up by it. She’s walked that road with dogs we’ve had for 20 plus years with no issue and then this happens which is obviously very frightening for her,” he added.

Since the attack, the woman has received surgery at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald and is currently on “strong painkillers”.

It is understood that the police seized the dog, and it is currently in a pound in Omagh. “I’m told that nobody has claimed the animal yet, the animal is not chipped. If it’s not claimed it’s going to be put down so we are no further forward,” said the man.

Speaking on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Sergeant Laird said: “Shortly after 3:35pm, it was reported that a dog attacked a female in the area. It is believed a woman received a serious hand injury and was taken to hospital for treatment. It was also reported that two other dogs were attacked during the incident.”

“The dog was handed over to the local dog warden following the incident.”

“The incident has now been passed through to the local dog warden, who will be carrying out an investigation,” he added.

A spokeswoman for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council stated: “A dog suspected to have been involved in the attack has been transferred to the Council’s Dog Control service and an investigation is currently underway. Should anyone have any information in relation to the dog attack they should contact Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Dog Control service on 0300 303 1777. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation and potential legal implications, no further comment can be made at this time.”

The victim’s husband concluded: “My wife said that when she closes her eyes, all she can see is that dog and the viciousness of it. It was very, very frightening for her,” concluded the man.