Jodie-Lee Allen, 11, was playing with a friend on Claremont Road, North Shore, on her bike, when she was bitten on her leg by a bull terrier- type dog.

The Beacon Hill High School pupil suffered two large puncture wounds and had to be taken to hospital for stitches after the incident outside Claremont school at 5.45pm on Sunday.

Today her mother, Zoe Marshall, of Chesterfield Road, North Shore, said she wanted to let others know there was a dangerous dog around and to urge its owner to keep it under control.

The 32-year-old said: "She had to go to school this morning on crutches.

"It has left her really shaken up and put her off playing outside.

"I was really shocked by it and what disturbed me most was the fact the dog was with a man who also had a little boy with him.

"After it happened, the man asked Jodie if she was all right, but then walked off. I just want people to know there is a dangerous dog out there.

"It could go after another child and things could be worse next time.

"She hadn't provoked the dog. She was just riding her bike and it went for her.

"She was helped by a community beat officer who happened to be on patrol at the time.

Grabbed

"My first thought when the police called was that she had got into trouble.

"The police have said it will be difficult for them to do anything without knowing who the man was.

"Jodie had two big chunks bitten out of her calf.

"She had to have three stitches in hospital and has got to go back Thursday.

"We won't know until then whether there will be any permanent scarring."