A DOG has reportedly been killed and a woman hurt by another animal running loose on the street in central York.

Bystanders said a silver Staffordshire Bull Terrier type dog ran down the road, and attacked a small terrier waiting with its owner at a bus stop, opposite TopShop on Piccadilly.

York Press:

Bus wardens Mick Major and Shaun Griffin said they saw the Staffy launch itself at the other dog and bite its owner, at about 1.20pm today, and although other people tried to stop the attack the terrier did not survive.

"It came running down the street straight up to that dog, and just grabbed it," they said.

There was no owner with it, and Mick and Shaun followed it as it ran off down Walmgate, until they caught it. 

Mick added: "First of all I put my belt round its neck, then someone gave us a bit of rope and we held on to it."

Police arrived and the pair said they then left the dog and its owner, who had come out of a home nearby, with officers.

The terrier's owner, a tourist staying in Bridlington, was left shocked and upset and with bite wounds on her hand, they added.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service have confirmed they were called at 1.33pm and sent an emergency care practitioner, who treated the woman in her 60s and took her to York Hospital.

Police said they had seized the dog on Hope Street, off Walmgate, and will speak to its owner. The dog has been taken to a secure location, a spokesman added, and enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or saw the dog involved, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Michael Halstead or York Police, quoting reference 12170108622.