(AP) — Lincoln police say a woman squirted pepper spray into an attacker’s face, causing him to run away screaming in pain.

The 20-year-old woman went outside her apartment about 12:15 a.m. Friday to walk her puppy.

Lincoln police officer Katie Flood says the woman passed a man, and then heard footsteps before he grabbed her from behind and put his hand over her mouth.

The woman was prepared with pepper spray. She reached around and sprayed him in the face.

The attacker screamed and ran east.

The woman called police, but officers couldn’t find the man.

Other than jaw pain, the woman wasn’t hurt.

She told police always carries pepper spray when she goes out late and keeps it ready.