Dog owner’s terror after mauled by ‘Dalmatian’ in Stoke-on-Trent attack

A 51-year-old has been hospitalised in a terrifying dog attack. The victim was walking his own dog, a Weimaraner, near the Port Vale training pitches, in Burslem. He described how he saw a Dalmatian-type dog, off its lead, 'bounding' towards him with its 'mouth wide open' before it locked onto his hand.

He said: "I was walking my dog. I saw this dog bounding towards me and then it launched at me. It was off the ground, with its mouth was wide open. amd then it clamped onto my left hand.

The pain - I felt my bones crunch. READ: Police searching trouble-hit Hanley Park seize weapons [1] | Staffordshire Police and Stoke-on-Trent City Council have targeted Hanley Park READ: Motorists beware: New-style speed cameras spring up on A34 [2] | The old cameras are being replaced on the A34 through Trent Vale

"I didn't think; I just reacted. I pulled my dog to one side. It took me down to the floor.

Then my dog and theirs engaged in a fight between each other. "I was on the floor but managed to pull myself up onto my knees to separate the dogs. The other owner came.

"They pulled the dog away and left. My hand was in a bad mess. I went back home and my partner drove me to A&E."

The victim had a tetanus injection in hospital and had his wound cleaned and closed.

However, it became infected and the victim is now on antibiotics and strict orders of rest and recovery until doctors can determine whether he will need physiotherapy for ligament damage. He said: "I do groundwork; I've been out of work. It's left me incapacitated really.

It's very difficult. I normally walk the dog with my partner and her daughter. The silver lining is that it was me and not them.

"I'm a dog-lover. I know the owner never intended for their dog to do any harm, but people should be made aware that all dogs can be dangerous and should be kept on a lead at all times in a public space. I've purchased some dog pepper spray and insist my partner carries it with her at all times."

Staffordshire Police have been approached for a statement.

The incident is reported to have happened around 6.30pm on Saturday, November 11.

References

^ Police searching trouble-hit Hanley Park seize weapons (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ Motorists beware: New-style speed cameras spring up on A34 (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
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