POLICE are appealing after a dog attack in Sunderland.

"At 3.20pm on Monday a man was walking two Alsatians on a field behind Newbottle Primary School," said a spokeswoman for Northumbria Police.

"He let one of the animals off the lead at which point it attacked a border terrier that was being held on a lead. The attack caused minor injuries to the border terrier.

"Another man received a bite to his hand as he tried to protect the smaller dog and was left shaken by the incident. Nobody else was hurt."

The owner of the Alsatian retrieved his dog and left the scene without leaving any details. He is described as white, aged in his late 30s to early 40s, with long black hair and glasses. He was wearing jeans and a blue hoodie at the time of the incident.

Officers are now appealing for the man, or anyone who may know his identity, to get in touch on 101 extension 69691 quoting reference number 771 06/07/15.