Canvassing councillor reports doorstep dog attack

Gabe Crisp's hand was bleeding after the incident

A councillor says she has reported to police being attacked by a dog on a doorstep while canvassing.

Gabe Crisp, of Adur District Council, said she had been speaking to a resident on a doorstep in Lancing before the dog bit her arm and left her with a bleeding hand and bruising.

The "big dog" bit through four layers of “thick” clothing, then sunk its teeth into her hand before biting her right knee and left thigh, she said.

Ms Crisp said she fled the doorstep while sobbing after a second resident got the dog under control.

Ms Crisp said she was bruised after the dog attack in Lancing

She told the BBC's Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I was extremely shocked and in a lot of pain, plus a bleeding hand."

The Green councillor, who represents the St Nicholas ward in Shoreham, said she went to Worthing Hospital for treatment.

She said she was "thankful" to be told that no nerve or tendon damage had been done to her hand during the attack on March 2.

Ms Crisp is not seeking compensation

Ms Crisp said: “There are real dangers of people not controlling their dogs and this story could be a cautionary tale to remind owners to shut the dog in another room before they answer the door."

She said she would not be seeking prosecution or compensation, but had reported an “out of control” dog to the police.

Sussex Police have been contacted for comment.