British Transport Police has released CCTV footage after a guide dog was savagely attacked by another dog at Cricklewood station, north-west London.

The attack happened when a blind woman, 57, was walking through the station on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

Her guide dog, a brown Labradour, was attacked by another dog which had entered the station with a man loitering in the station subway.

Detective Constable Gerry Griffin said:

"This dog was not muzzled and was dangerously out of control.

The woman was extremely distressed and feared for own safety. What made this awful incident even more harrowing was the fact that the man made no effort to assist her or to check that she was alright once the attack was over."

The guide dog suffered a deep puncture wound to the neck and is still receiving vet treatment as a result of the incident on 4 October, which lasted around three minutes.

After kicking and punching the attacking dog to prise it away from the guide dog, the man exited the station and ran off in the direction of Lichfield Road.

The man is described as white, aged mid to late twenties and around 5’11 tall, of slim build.

He had a cropped beard, brownish to red hair, which was cut short. He was wearing a grey- coloured top and black tracksuit bottoms.

The dog is described as a muscular terrier, possibly a cross-breed, brown with white paws, white around its nose and at the tip of its tail.

Griffin added:

"We have carried out a number of local enquiries and ask that anyone who recognises the man gets in contact with us.

The owner would do well to hand himself in as his animal poses a clear danger to other dogs and to the public."

Anyone with any information about the incident, or who recognises the man pictured in the CCTV images, is asked to call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A spokesman for the Guide Dogs charity said:

"This was a traumatic experience for the guide dog owner. Happily her dog has made a full recovery.

However, there have been tragic cases in the past when guide dogs have suffered psychologically - impairing their ability to continue safely guiding their owners."