dogs, it was revealed yesterday.

Bermuda Conservatory of Music's Dr. Karol Sue Reddington was attacked in the grounds of a Devonshire house after entering the property by mistake.

And yesterday she called for tougher laws to keep guard dogs under control.

Ms Reddington needed ten stitches in her hand wound and suffered severe bites on her back.

She said: "There was stuff hanging out of my hand -- I was terrified. That's how I make my living.

"I want to focus attention on this matter. I could have lost my profession, my whole life.'' Three Rhodesian Ridgebacks went for her as she walked up to the door of the house on Wednesday after mistaking it for a house where she had an appointment.

Ms Reddington, of Cloverdale Road, Smith's, said: "Two of the dogs were muzzled and one wasn't. The one which wasn't bit me on the arms and back.'' And she warned: "If those two dogs hadn't been muzzled, or it had been a child, someone could have been killed there.'' She said: "I had no idea what would happen -- I was in survival mode. I couldn't run off the property because it was too far to go. I would never have made it.'' Ms Reddington's screams of terror attracted the attention of the woman owner of the house, who pulled her away from the dogs, dragged her inside and called an ambulance.

Ms Reddington said there was a warning notice about the dogs on a gate which was lying open -- and called for tougher laws, even for dogs roaming on private property.

She said: "I'm not sure what could be done about this -- but I think the law should be changed.

"Animals like these should be chained up or fenced off. I don't know what would have happened if a child had wandered in there.

"It's definitely an issue which is terrifically important and the public should be concerned about it.'' Ms Reddington -- who is still off work recovering from her ordeal -- said she had reported the dog attack to Police.

No-one from the Police Service could be contacted for comment yesterday.