A pensioner has described how she “just froze” as she was bitten several times in a park by a dog that was out of control.

Carol Williams, 68, said she went to John Coles Park, Chippenham, yesterday afternoon for her daily exercise during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I usually do three or four laps of the park for my exercise. I have been going for a few years,” she said today.

“I walked through the gate opposite Greenway Avenue and down the circular path and this dog came bounding up to me. It was barking a lot and quite a big dog, mid brown in colour.

“I had only been walking for about 30 seconds when it came up to me and bit me about six times. I have never been bitten by a dog before and I just froze.

“It all happened so quickly and must have been about six times. I was petrified and could not get away. It just kept circling me and bite, bite, bite.

“I was just rooted to the spot and then the owner came up and she said: ‘Don’t worry. He only nips’.”

After the dog ran off, followed by its owner who was calling it to come back, Mrs Williams, a retired office administrator, says she went back towards the park gate where she warned a family of four not to venture further into the park, telling them “I have just been bitten by a dog.”

The family immediately called the police, and two officers arrived within five minutes at the other Malmesbury Road entrance to the park.

Mrs Williams said: “The dog was just bounding all around the park and the owner was calling it but it was not responding.”

She stayed in the park for about a quarter of an hour waiting to speak to police but left after being advised by other people to go to hospital to get the dog bites treated and after leaving her name, address and telephone number with a woman to give to police.

“I was wearing tight leggings, and one woman said to me ‘you’ve got blood on your jeans, you should go to hospital’.

Mrs Williams went to the Minor Injuries Unit at Chippenham Community Hospital for treatment to the worst two of the bites.” I had one bite on my left calf and another on the top of my right leg.

“There was a big bruise on my leg and it was swollen and bleeding. I was worried because I am on blood thinners.”

At the hospital, the medical team treated and dressed the worst of the bites and gave Mrs Williams a tetanus booster as a precaution.

Mrs Williams says she will visit police on Monday morning to give a statement but added: “I love animals but I do not want to be responsible for the dog having to be put to sleep.”

It was reported that several people – including one child – were injured by the out-of-control dog during the incident in the park yesterday.

As the incident escalated at least six police officers, veterinary staff and the dog’s owner were involved in trying to bring the dog under control.

The animal reportedly escaped from a house in the Greenway Lane area before running into the park and carrying out the attack.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “We received calls to a dog out of control at John Coles Park, Malmesbury Road, Chippenham, at around 2.15pm this afternoon.

“It is reported that several people have suffered bites but none of the injuries are thought to be serious.

“Officers attended and were able to bring the dog under control with the assistance of a local vets. Our enquiries are ongoing.”

Following the incident, the owner took the dog home but an investigation has been launched.

It’s not known if police intend to take further action against the owner or the dog.

Did you witness this incident in John Coles Park yesterday afternoon? If so, please contact John Baker on 07955 013319 or email john.baker@newsquest.co.uk