A young girl had her finger bitten by a dog yesterday as she helped deliver election campaign leaflets.

Eleven-year-old Tia Thompson, who was helping her mum to deliver Conservative Party promotional material, was bitten on the finger as she reached through a letter box in The Harebreaks, Watford.

The attack, which happened at about 11.45am, left her covered in blood and is likely to result in at least the loss of a fingernail.

Tia’s mum, Tanya, explained: “It was the third finger on her left hand. She had just opened the letter box and the dog suddenly jumped up and bit her.

“She pulled her hand away and started screaming. It was horrible for her. He hand was covered in blood.

“I’m just thankful that she didn’t put her whole hand inside. I think the dog was a Pit Bull or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Whatever it was it was very big.”

The incident comes within a year of two similar attacks: on Liberal Democrat Mayor Dorothy Thornhill and Labour activist and parish councillor Steve Cox.

Tia, of Middle Way, was treated for her injuries by Councillor Amanda Grimston, who is a qualified nurse.

Councillor Grimston said the incident highlighted a growing problem with aggressive dogs.

She said: “I’ve been bringing up this issue for more than a year. There are some really vicious dogs out there and something needs to be done about it.

“Admittedly this dog was not outside at the time but people should be able to use a letter box without getting bitten by a dog. We contacted the police but they did not want to know because the dog was not outside at the time.”