Cessnock City Council is searching for the dog, described as a brindle coloured or tortoiseshell adult greyhound, in the wake of the attack on Tuesday.

It was seen in the street with a white whippet at the time.

Council city planning director Darryl Fitzgerald said the woman was protecting her cat when the dog attacked at her.

“The dog had originally gone after the cat and the woman picked it up and held it to her chest to protect it,” he said.

“That’s when the dog turned on her.”

The victim was still traumatised by the incident and unable to speak to the Mercury yesterday.

She was taken to hospital for treatment for 40 to 50 puncture wounds to her arms and wrists.

Her husband reported the incident to the council. Rangers searched the area but were unable to find the dog.

Mr Fitzgerald described the attack as “quite severe” and said the council was anxious to find the dog before it attacked again.

The council was seeking help from the community because greyhounds were not covered under the Companion Animals Act and could not be tracked by microchip.

“The difficulty is that racing greyhounds are not covered in the act and are identified only by a branding in their ear,” he said.

“We have been in contact with the Greyhound Breeders and Trainers Association, but there are 25 registered trainers or breeders in Heddon Greta.

“We want to find the dog before this happens again.”

Anyone with information can contact the council on 4993 4300.