POLICE are investigating after an 81-year-old was attacked by a dog whilst walking with his wife in Wyre Forest.

James and Linda Price, from Franche, Kidderminster, were out for a walk in the forest last week when they encountered what they believed was a Japanese Akita.

They claim the owners, a man and a woman, struggled to control the dog and were even "dragged to the ground" and "pulled."

Mr Price said the dog lunged at him and bit him on the arm.

He said: "It was a massive thing - the couple couldn't hold it. They were pulled on the ground.

"It lunged at me. I pulled my arm out of its mouth.

"It must have weighed more than me. It was a great big thing it was.

"If it was a child I'd hate to see what the result would be".

The incident happened on the Ernwood trail, near the village of Button Oak in Bewdley, at around 3pm on Wednesday (January 4).

Mr Price added that the bite was painful and he later went to A and E for treatment.

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Mrs Price, aged 79, claims that she was also bitten by the same dog a few years ago and was previously told to "not go near it" by the owners.

She added: "They couldn't hold him. It's a shame - it's a lovely animal".

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "Police are carrying out enquiries after a dog attacked and bit a man in Ernwood trail near Button Oak in Bewdley.

"The man was injured but not seriously. The incident happened on Wednesday 4 January at around 3pm".