A MAN has sustained serious injuries to his finger and is in hospital after being bitten by a dog, off the lead, in Wickford.

Officers were called to Bruce Grove, in Wickford, following reports of a man being bitten by a dog.

The man was walking along the road when he was approached by a dog off the lead and bitten.

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Following the incident, the owner of the dog ran away.

The dog is believed to be a large Rottweiler, and the owner is described as a black man, wearing a black tracksuit, of a slim build.

A spokesman for Essex Police urged anyone with information to come forward.

They said: “We are appealing for witnesses following a dangerous dog incident in Wickford last month.

“We were called to Bruce Grove in Wickford at around 5pm on 19 November following reports of a man being bitten by a dog.

“The man was walking along Bruce Grove when they were approached by a dog off the lead and bitten on the hand.

“He sustained serious injuries to his finger and went to hospital.

“The owner of the dog, which is believed to be a large Rottweiler ran away following the incident.

“The owner of the is described as a black man, wearing a black tracksuit, of a slim build.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have any more information on this incident to contact us.

“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

“Please quote incident 42/283568/22 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.”