The Mayor of Watford has been discharged from hospital as she recovers from a savage dog bite.

Mayor Dorothy Thornhill was bitten on Sunday while delivering leaflets for the forthcoming elections – an attack that left her requiring surgery.

The incident happened as the Mayor posted a leaflet through a letterbox, unaware there was a dog on the other side.

The dog then sunk its teeth into her her right hand for several seconds, puncturing the skin and leaving the Mayor with no sensation in her fingers.

She says her hand received “severe injuries” during the attack.

Mayor Thornhill was treated at Watford General and Mount Vernon Hospital. She then had surgery at the Royal Free Hospital, in Hampstead, on Tuesday – the Mayor's birthday.

Mayor Thornhill said: “It’s hard to imagine that a dog bite would have such an impact.

“It’s wiped out three days already and I have more hospital visits still to come.”

She is now recovering at home and has been advised she must not use her right hand for up to four weeks.

Mayor Thornhill has also urged dog owners to think of people delivering letters to their homes.

She said: “I would urge dog owners to think about those delivering letters and leaflets to their homes, be they politicians, postmen or whoever.

“Having a cage on the inside of the letterbox or an external post box, ensuring the letterbox on the door is blocked off, will remove the risk of a similar accident happening again.

“Alternatively, a ‘beware of the dog’ sign lets us know we need to be extra careful.”

She also thanked a female “good Samaritan” who came to her aid after the nasty attack.