A woman attacked by a dog in the city Monday is undergoing treatment for rabies after the owner refused to provide information about the dog.

Mary Anna Skilton was bitten in the thigh by a German shepherd while she and her husband, Bill, were walking their dog on Canada Day.

The dog's owner then refused to provide any information about herself or the dog, leaving Skilton to endure several treatments for rabies.

The Skiltons were strolling with their dog Blu on the trails near St. Catherine School in the city's west end when they noticed a rambunctious dog approaching.

"The dog was just out of control," said Bill, 63.

At the time, the shepherd was on a leash, held by its female owner.

Then suddenly, it was off its leash and running back down the trail, straight for Blu.

"This dog came at us with its lips back, its teeth bared and snarling," Mary Anna said.

The two dogs fought briefly before the shepherd went for Mary Anna.

"It just turned and went for my wife, and grabbed her right in the thigh."

Bill got in between the dog and his wife, trying to hold the shepherd back, but it was relentless.

"It just kept coming at us," he said.

The owner eventually caught up to the dog and grabbed it by the collar, holding it back while it snarled, standing on its hind legs.

The Skiltons said they tried to get the woman's name, address and her dog's vaccine info, but she refused.

"She just kept screaming that it was a rescue dog and it wasn't its fault," Bill said.

After a few attempts to get the info, the couple gave up and went to the hospital.

The shepherd's canine teeth punctured four holes in Skilton's leg and tore a patch of skin off her leg with its front teeth.

On Tuesday, her doctor suggested rabies treatments to be on the safe side.

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She got five injections that day and has to go back four more times for more needles.

But, if they knew the dog had it shots, treatments could end, said Bill.

"What we were hoping is that (the owner) would come forward so that my wife doesn't have to go through these vaccinations."

The vaccines aren't the couples' main concern though. They're worried for others' safety.

"The dog is obviously out of control, and the woman can't handle it. If she lets it off, it's going to attack another dog, or even worse, another person," Bill said.

He contacted the Peterborough Humane Society and the Skiltons are also hoping someone might be able help identify the owner.

She's in her mid-40s, about five foot five, with blondish shoulder-length hair and a fit build. The dog has a reddish-coloured, furry coat and weighs about 100 pounds. The woman and shepherd are often seen in the west end.

The Skiltons are hoping action is taken before someone else gets hurt.

"If that had been a kid, and that dog put it down, I think it would have ripped that kid apart," Bill said.

NOTE: Anyone with information can contact the Peterborough Humane Society or Peterborough Public Health.

jessica.nyznik

@peterboroughdaily.com