The hunt was on today for a pitbull-type dog that attacked a chocolate labrador on a canal towpath in the Black Country.

Three-year-old Poppy had to have 14 stitches following the attack in Walsall. Police have launched an investigation to trace the owner, who is said to be regularly seen around the town centre with the animal off the lead. The unprovoked attack happened on the canal near Bridgeman Street.

Shaun Reeves, aged 29, had stopped to chat to friends while walking Poppy on June 2. “I saw this pitbull out of the corner of my eye and told its owner to put a lead on it,” he said.

“Then it just ran at us. The owner didn’t rush to get over to us.

“He just walked up casually and said ‘let go, Lola’.”

The dog’s owner is described as 6ft 2in, stocky, about 25 to 30, with black hair. He was wearing jeans and a white T shirt.

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