20 November 2023 , 08:19
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A man was rushed to hospital with gruesome wounds after being attacked by a Dalmatian-type dog off its lead, it's been claimed.
The 51-year-old victim was walking his own pooch, a Weimaraner, when the other dog, reportedly off its lead, "bounded" towards him with its "mouth wide open". It locked onto his left hand, at which point the victim described feeling his "bones crunch" in the ordeal.
The wound became infected and he may need physiotherapy for ligament damage. Consequently, the victim has been off work as his job is labour intensive. He has, though, reported the horror to police, and officers launched an investigation.
The attack happened when the man was walking his own dogSpeaking to Stoke-on-Trent Live, the man 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 wide open, and then it clamped onto my left hand. The pain - I felt my bones crunch.
"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.
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"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.
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."
The attack happened in the Burslem area of Stoke-on-Trent at around 6.30pm on Saturday, November 11. Staffordshire Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack.