A Falmouth resident has recalled the traumatic experience of a dog attack on her six-year-old daughter at Swanpool beach.

Ruth Campbell, Falmouth, had taken a walk with her daughter down to the beach during a sunny Thursday afternoon.

Ruth told Nub News: "We were sat at the start of the coastal path by the railing, dropping stones into the water. The dog came over and walked round her, sniffing."

She then heard her daughter shout out in pain and the dog had ran off, at first Ruth thought her daughter had just scathed her finger.

"The dog was not aggressive, more so inquisitive. It was not provoked and neither did she have any food in her hand," Ruth continued.

"Whilst I comforted her and checked the bleeding wound, I remained calm so as not to further upset her but I could not identify the owners. The dogs carried on up the coastal path to Gylly."

The dog has been described as a golden retriever with a slim build accompanied by a shorter-haired 'tan coloured dog of similar size'.

Ruth said: "Thank god it was nothing more than a puncture wound, but nonetheless it will no doubt only exaggerate her fear of dogs."

Ruth is appealing for the owners to come forward as the ordeal has petrified her daughter, who was already scared of dogs following previous incidents.

She said: "I cannot believe that anyone witnessing their dog bite a child would have ignored this and walked away.

Ruth is hoping that this story is a reminder to dog owners to take closer care and attention while they walk their pets.

"I hope it may remind any dog owners that choose to take their dogs off their leads to know what their dogs are doing at all times."