WITNESSES are being sought after a guide dog was attacked in Penhill.

The labrador-cross retriever was out with its owner when a large dog attacked it while walking in a field, between 8.30pm and 9pm on Monday.

Its visually impaired owner didn’t realise the dog had suffered injuries until a visitor to his home saw the animal on Tuesday morning.

The incident has been reported to Wiltshire Police and the dog is being treated by charity Guide Dogs in Southampton for injuries to its front legs.

Alan Fletcher, 66, Swindon Guide Dogs chairman, said: “Unfortunately, the owner doesn’t know what kind of dog carried out the attack but thinks it must have been quite big. Two people who were with the dog came over and said the guide dog hadn’t suffered any injuries.

“It seems like the dog is getting better while it’s being treated in Southampton but we don’t know whether it’ll ever return as a guide dog again. The owner is on his own and is absolutely distraught.

“He’s lost his independence and will have to go back to using a white cane for the forseeable future. If anybody saw the incident I’d ask them to contact the police.”

Any witnesses can call the police on 101 or alternatively information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.