Terrified screams echoed through a quiet street in Bristol as a 'vicious' dog launched a brutal attack on a woman, leaving her with potentially life-changing injuries.

The harrowing dog attack unfolded in Sutton Avenue in the Bridlington area of the city yesterday (April 10), drawing emergency services, including an air ambulance, to the scene.

The victim was rushed to hospital after being mauled by the canine around 4.15pm.  A local resident recounted to BristolLive the chilling moment he heard children's screams from a nearby home before a haunting silence fell.

"I had never seen a dog so nasty in all my life," he said. "Vicious, he was. The kids were screaming and I thought 'there's something serious going on in there'."

"Then it all went quiet. I thought 'well, he must have got the dog in'. It's a big dog, mind," he recounted to BristolLive.

Police officers from Avon and Somerset remained stationed at the crime scene into the night, while investigations into the dog attack were carried out.

Authorities have yet to confirm the breed of the dog involved in the attack, however, it is believed to have been an XL Bully breed. Officers entered the property after the attack with protective shields to contain the animal while they awaited specialist dog handlers.

In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said: "Emergency services were called at about 4.15pm on Thursday 10 April after a woman was bitten by a dog at a home in Sutton Avenue, Bristol.

"The woman, believed to be in her forties, has gone to hospital by land ambulance, with injuries currently described as potentially life-changing. To ensure their safety upon entering the property, officers deployed protective shields.

"Police remain at the scene and the dog is secured at the property pending the arrival of specialist dog handlers."