A WOMAN told how she and her friend were savaged by a pitbull-type dog - before the owner calmly walked away, leaving them bleeding and in agony.

Shabna Akhtar, 27, from Blackburn, was enjoying an after-work walk along Blackpool Promenade with her friend, Lesley Davidson, 54, when the dog suddenly ran towards them.

It bit Lesley on the leg, violently pulling her to the floor, and Shabna suffered arm injuries as she tried to intervene.

Police said the dog, believed to belong to two men who were fishing on the sea wall, inflicted injuries which will leave both women, who are deaf, scarred for life.

The owner ran over, put the dog on the lead but then ran away without offering any help or leaving any details.

Shabna said: “It was quiet and calm and we were signing, then somehow I turned around and saw a black-brown pitbull-type dog running toward to us.

“It seemed like it wanted to attack me so I got panicked because I’m scared of dogs and I went behind Lesley.

“The dog bit her leg. She screamed and fell to the floor. I slipped and fell as well, and then the dog came up to me.

“I put my arm up to cover my face and the dog bit my arm. It all happened so quickly we couldn’t defend ourselves.

“Then we saw two lads come over, put the lead on and walk away, leaving us bleeding.

“We were both in great pain and I was in shock. I froze, and quickly stood up in case the dog came back again.

“Some guys walking past came over and helped. We thought we were going to die.

“If its wasn’t for them, we would have struggled to get help as we are deaf.

Shabna was treated at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, and Lesley, who lives in Preston, was transferred to Royal Preston Hospital for emergency surgery.

Shabna said: “Lesley is still in hospital and has had two operations. She’s had a skin graft. We have both been off work since.

“It’s affected us badly. We’re both angry that the dog wasn’t on a lead.”

The incident happened at around 11pm on Monday, July 8 but police have only just released details.

Detective Inspector Kev Simmons said: “Both ladies will be scarred for life as a result of the injuries they received and we are determined to trace the people responsible for this animal.”

The dog was young, but not a puppy, dark brown or a black Staffordshire Bull Terrier or pitbull-type dog with a white stripe on its head.

The man believed to be the owner was white, in his early 30s, of medium build, 6ft with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark jacket with dark jeans.

The other man was white, about 40, medium build, 5ft 9ins tall, wearing a cream cardigan-style jacket with his hood up and dark jeans.

Ring police on 101 and quote log number LC-20130708-1895