A POSTWOMAN told how she thought she was going to die after being attacked by a dog during her round.

Janet, who asked the Echo not to publish her full name, was knocked to the ground, where she lay bleeding, during the terrifying attack in The Parkway, Canvey.

The 68 year-old was delivering a parcel to a house when the dog, believed to be a Bull Mastiff of American Bulldog, pounced.

She was left with five puncture wounds on her face and neck.

Janet, who has worked as a postwoman for the past 27 years, said: "He came straight out the front door and ripped the parcel I had in my hand. He bit it so hard he sent me flying backwards. I ended up on the ground.

“He jumped on top of me and bit my face and neck.

“I thought I was going to die with all the blood coming out.”

A woman, believed to be the owner, pulled the dog off Janet and ordered him inside the house.

Janet added: "He didn’t bark, he just attacked. But once she got him back in the house and he was barking something chronic.

“I was terrified. I nearly had a heart attack.

“The paramedics said my heart rate was so high most people would have had a heart attack.

“Blood was pouring everywhere and I didn’t know what the damage was, but it’s all on my left side on my check and neck.”

The attack took place at about 11.50am on Friday.

Janet is now warning residents, particularly those with children, to be cautious.

She said: “People should be made aware. If that had been a child out on Halloween, then that child would be dead.

“About 20 years ago I was bit on my leg by a dog but it was nothing like this. This was horrific, he was out for the kill.”

Janet was taken to Southend Hospital for treatment.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police are investigating reports that a 68 year-old woman was bitten in the face by an American Bulldog in The Parkway, Canvey.

“She was delivering mail to an address in the street shortly before 11.50am on Friday when the dog came out of an open door."