A JOGGER was mauled by dogs on a local travellers encampment and claims despite her desperate screams, no-one came to help.

The 37-year-old from Wimborne dialled 999 on her mobile phone as one of the dogs bit her and others scratched at her legs. A police spokesperson said she sounded "distressed and shaken".

Though she could see people in their caravans just 50 feet away, the victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, says no-one intervened as the 14 dogs chased her. She claims one woman refused to help because they weren't her dogs.

She said: "I was running away from them, screaming for help and asking the travellers to call the dogs off. The dogs chased me from the river, through the fields before I managed to get away," she added.

"I can't believe no-one came to help."

The incident happened at around 8.30am on Sunday, August 21 in the area known as Eye Bridge, off Cowgrove Road.

Police searched the encampment but failed to identify the offending dogs.

Afterwards the woman, who cares for the disabled, underwent hospital treatment.

On August 22 some of the travellers said they had heard about the incident but claim they would intervene if a passer-by was attacked.

Ashley Jones, whose pet terrier is tied up beside her caravan, said: "Mine is tied up and I would not stand by and let someone get bitten."

The travellers arrived on Thursday, August 11.

Chichester's Land Agency, which represents the land owners, launched proceedings to have them moved on and County Court bailiffs served enforcement notices.

East Dorset District Council said its dog warden went to the site on Friday but claims police opted not to take action until a designated travellers' site is opened at the Great Dorset Steam Fair, where the group plans to move to before the weekend.

First published: August 23, 2005