POLICE closed a Halesowen road today due to concerns over a "dangerous dog" on the loose which was reported to have bitten an elderly lady.

Officers were called to Philip Road at 10.30am this morning (Tuesday May 18) to reports of the dog and concerns for safety.

They closed the road at around 11am.

Officers are trying to find the elderly lady who was reported to have been bitten by the dog and have appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We were called to reports of a dangerous dog in Philip Road, Halesowen, at around 10.30am today (Tuesday).

"Officers attended and were told the dog had been seen to bite an elderly woman as she walked past the front of a property.

"Enquiries are being made to find the woman but she has yet to be located.

"The owner of the dog returned to the property and secured the dog.

"Investigations continue and anyone who has any information can get in touch with us via live chat at west-midlands.police.uk or call 101, quoting crime reference number 20/712223/21."

A spokesman said earlier that dog was believed to be outside its own house and was barking loudly and running at people.

A response car and a dog unit raced to the scene and closed the road over concerns for safety and to stop the dog escaping.

A passerby told the news: "There's lots of police and a cordon across the road. We saw police cars racing up the road.

"Some of the residents who were out on the fronts said there's a dangerous dog on the loose.

"It's full-on what's happening."

The police spokesman said they did not know the breed of the dog at this time.