WARNING – GRAPHIC IMAGES: Cody Davies, 31, had been out with a friend when she stopped to stroke a ‘pitbull type’ dog – which jumped up and attacked her within seconds
A mum has revealed the terrifying moment a dog latched onto her face and left her needing 20 stitches after what began as a seemingly innocent gesture on a night out. Cody Davies had been out with a friend when she stopped to stroke a dog, which she described as a “pitbull type”.
Within seconds, it jumped up and bit her in the face. The 31-year-old says she was left with “blood pouring” from the wound and that she was lucky not to lose her lip following the attack on Mathew Street in Liverpool at 1am on Sunday. Cody, from Port Sunlight, was taken to Aintree Hospital from the city centre where she received 20 stitches to her face before leaving at around 10am yesterday.
The mum is now urging others to not approach dogs unless they’re certain they are safe. “I feel terrible and I feel so sad. I love my dogs and this dog was just playing with its owner in the street so I went over to stroke it,” Cody told the Liverpool Echo.
“When I went over, the woman didn’t say anything about not approaching them but when I did, it jumped up and bit my face. I was running around with my hands covering my face and blood pouring from my face. No taxis would take me because I was covered in blood and thankfully someone rang an ambulance for me.”
Cody has since filed a police report and is hoping officers can track down the woman, so that no one else is attacked by the dog. The mum-of-two, who has two French bulldogs herself, said the incident has made her wary around dogs and has struggled explaining the attack to her daughter. She is also concerned her injuries will affect her job as a brand ambassador on social media.
Merseyside Police confirmed the force is investigating the incident, including speaking to potential witnesses and exploring possible CCTV footage. Chief Inspector Nathaniel Stockley said: “This attack left a woman requiring hospital treatment for injuries to her face. We have identified the dog and its owner and our enquiries into the incident are ongoing.
“We are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident who may have information to come forward as soon as possible. This case highlights in stark terms the potential dangers of dogs, and I would appeal to anyone with information about dangerous dogs in their area to contact us so that we can take proactive action.”
Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via the force’s website, or call 101 quoting incident reference 125 of 29 June.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here.