A WOMAN feared she had suffered a fractured skull after two men attacked her and tried to steal her dog.

Katie Stirk was walking her pet Border Collie, Doris, on a lead in Judy Woods, Wyke, when someone kicked her in the back.

The 29-year-old fell to the floor and banged her head during the incident, which happened on Saturday between 3.30pm and 4pm, and also suffered scratches to her face.

Her attackers were disturbed by a passer-by and ran off empty-handed towards Wyke, said police.

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Miss Stirk said: “It is all a bit of a blur. It felt like it lasted a lifetime.

“I was really scared, but I wasn’t bothered about myself at the time. People without dogs don’t understand, but they are like your children. I was scared they were going to get her.”

She added: “I’ve got a lot of cuts on my face, my back is quite painful and I’ve still got a headache.”

A doctor told Miss Stirk to go to Bradford Royal Infirmary yesterday because of an “orangey discharge” coming from her ear.

“He said it looks like there may be a small fracture,” said Miss Stirk.

She has warned other dog-owners to be on their guard.

“I know a lot of people walk in those woods,” said Miss Stirk. “I go probably every weekend and I’ve been on my own before. I would never go on my own at night-time, but at 3.30pm you think you would be okay.”

Acting Inspector Pam Quinn, of Bradford police, said: “The victim was clearly shaken by what happened and we are keen to trace these men, who we believe were intending to steal her dog.

“We are also keen to speak to the male who came to her assistance, as he may have more information which may help us identify these men. We have not been made aware of any other similar recent incidents in the area, but we would ask for dog owners to be vigilant when walking their pets.”

Both men are described as white, slim, scruffy, and in their late 20s or early 30s. One of them was about 5ft 5ins tall and was wearing a baseball cap, with a grey or dirty white hooded top and tracksuit bottoms.

The other was slightly taller with ginger stubble and freckles. He was wearing a black baseball cap, a white jumper, and black tracksuit bottoms with white stripes.

Witnesses should contact PC 2935 Sumpner at Bradford Police on 101, quoting crime reference 13160261503, or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.