Dog owner hunted by police after boy bitten in Hove

Police have asked for help tracing a dog owner after her pet bit a four-year-old boy as he and his mother were leaving a café in Hove.

The terrier bit Sonny Bellas, who was with his mother Sam, of Brooker Street, Hove, as they left Marina’s Café in nearby George Street.

Inspector Di Lewis, of the Surrey and Sussex Police Dog Unit, said: “We are appealing for witnesses and for the dog owner to come forward.

“This is clearly a worrying attack by a dog on a small child in a public place.

“We are concerned that, although thankfully the injuries were slight on this occasion, there is potential for this to happen again, perhaps with more serious consequences.”

The boy was bitten at about 3.15pm on Saturday (28 June).

Sussex Police release a picture of the woman being sought today (Tuesday 1 July). She was also at the café. The force said: “A woman was sitting at a table outside with two terrier style dogs on leads under the table.

“One of the dogs shot out, apparently without any provocation, and bit the boy in the upper right thigh causing two slight puncture wounds.

“Paramedics treated the boy at the scene and referred the family to outpatients for further assessment.”

The dog owner was described as being in her fifties, of large build, with short wavy ginger brown hair and wearing a patterned blue shawl.

Anyone who can identify the woman or who knows her whereabouts is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex,pnn.police.uk.