A MAN in his 60s was seriously assaulted while walking his dog in a field.
The incident happened between 12.10pm and 12.25pm on Wednesday, December 11, when the victim took his five-month-old poodle into the open ground off Clover Way in Malvern and let it off the lead.
The poodle playfully approached a dark coloured Staffordshire bull terrier which was on a long lead held by a young man who became aggressive and abusive, threatening to let his dog tear the poodle to bits.
As the 66-year-old poodle owner put his dog back on the lead he was headbutted in the face, leaving him with a bloody nose and three chipped teeth.
The offender was white, aged 20 to 22, about 5ft 10in and of stocky build with blond hair. He was wearing a dark blue hoody and blue jeans and ran off in the direction of the Bluebell Pub on Guarlford Road.
PC Kirsty Edwards said: “This was a serious assault on an older man just taking his dog out for some exercise.
“This was an unnecessary act of aggression and totally disproportionate to the situation. The poodle was simply being friendly towards the other dog.
“If anyone saw the incident, saw the young man running away or knows him we would urge them to contact us.”
Anyone with any information should call PC Edwards on 101, quoting incident number 0243-s-111213, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.