A violent attack in which a woman was stabbed several times has shaken the quiet town of South Salem.

Police say a 25-year-old woman was walking her dog at about 11:30 p.m. in the area of Bouton and Gilbert streets on Wednesday night. They say a man suddenly grabbed the woman from behind, punched her in the face and stabbed her several times in the side of the abdomen before running away.

"We're not sure what kind of cutting instrument it was, but she was stabbed with some type of cutting instrument," said State Police spokesman Joe Becerra.

The woman was taken to Westchester Medical Center and is expected to be OK.

The attacker is described as a white man standing at about 6 feet tall, and was wearing a dark-colored hooded jacket or shirt.

Police say the woman's dog, a Labrador retriever, may have bitten the attacker and that's what caused him to run off. They are advising residents to keep their doors locked and lights turned on.

New York State Crime Stoppers is offering reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.