Woman wins award after dog attack

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Sally Ann Sutton describes her ordeal

A woman from Gillingham who saved a one-year-old baby during a rottweiler dog attack has been honoured with a police bravery award.

Sally Ann Sutton, who could not attend the ceremony last week because she had swine flu, was presented with her certificate earlier.

She told the BBC how she "instinctively stepped in front of the baby's buggy" to protect the child from danger.

Mrs Sutton suffered severe injuries to her right arm and hand.

The dog, which had already attacked two members of the public, dragged Mrs Sutton to where it lived.

'Dragged me away'

Mrs Sutton said: "I just did what anyone else would have done. When you see something like that happening you just react and my reaction was to step in.

"The dog turned towards the buggy, I stood in front of it and it dragged me away. It was very frightening but it could have been a lot worse."

Mrs Sutton received a gold medal and was one of 60 people awarded for her act of bravery at the public ceremony in Manchester.

Area Commander for Kent Police in Medway Ch Supt Steve Corbishley said: "It is very fitting that Sally Ann has won this award.

"She showed tremendous courage and bravery to stand in front of a large dog to protect a child."

The ACPO Police Public Bravery Awards is the new name given to the bringing together of the Provincial Police Award with the Metropolitan and City of London Awards to formally recognise members of the public who have helped the police maintain law and order.

This year it includes nominations from all forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.