She did her duty as a police officer and a caring human being - but she paid a heavy price

As a cop and a compassionate person her instinct kicked in when she saw a man lying motionless in the road. Police officer Michelle Murphy stopped her van and went to investigate.

But for her show of humanity and professionalism she was to pay a heavy price. Within moments she had been viciously mauled by an out of control dog belonging to the man she was trying to help.

She needed urgent hospital treatment, spent 12 weeks off work, and was left with permanent injuries to her left leg. But the trauma of that night goes even deeper. She believes that without the back-up of colleagues she may have been killed by the animal.

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Despite having two dogs of her own she has been left terrified of other dogs and has switched to CID instead of frontline policing. Her ordeal began one night in September last year.

Michelle was near the end of her shift, driving back to her HQ. But on the way she received a call to respond to a warring neighbours dispute.

She redirected the van she was driving and headed towards her last job of the night. But as she drove along Thicketford Road in Tonge Moor, Bolton, she saw a body lying in the street.

The "body" was Bordeane Rostron, who had been drinking. With him were his two dogs, a tiny pup, and a powerful bulldog-type breed, both were roaming free with no lead or collar.

Michelle, 35, and a mother-of-two who joined GMP in 2009, said: "I was working with a relatively new officer, driving a