GRAPHIC IMAGES WARNING: Photos show injuries sustained by woman attacked by Pocket Bully

An elderly woman was savaged by a Pocket Bully she was looking after when it turned on her, South Yorkshire Police have revealed.

The 73-year-old from Rotherham almost lost a limb and needed reconstructive surgery after the attack on Wednesday, May 21. She remains in intensive care.

Kimberley Bolan and partner Lee Hirst have been hailed heroes for saving the woman, after responding to screams from a garden on Greystones Road, Whiston, Rotherham, and rushing to her aid.

Leading the work on dangerous dogs in South Yorkshire, Chief Inspector Emma Cheney said the outcome could have been very different

“You are more likely to be bitten by a dog in your own home, that is known to you, that is a fact,” she said.

“Every dog can cause harm but certain breeds of greater strength and those with a greater innate aggressive nature cause greater harm, and the size, breed and nature of a dog must be considered when becoming a dog owner; you need to think, does this dog suit my life? You also need to consider who you ask to look after it.

“In this case, the victim was ‘looking’ after the dog. The outcome could have been very different.”

Get The Star for less than a fiver with our new subscription package

Police believe the dog was a Pocket Bully, a short legged version of the XL Bully breed banned last year.

So far this year, police say they have launched more than 530 investigations into dangerous dogs, with more than 300 people suffering injuries, she added. Of those, 29 victims have been under five years old.

Chf Insp Cheney continued: “We are doing all we can to prevent someone dying as a result of a dog attack. We can’t be everywhere, responsibility and action starts with the owners. Do your part.”

The dog involved in this latest attack was seized and remains in police kennels.

Read an account of the incident and the actions of Kimberley Bolan and partner Lee Hirst in saving the woman here.