Dogsey

A breeder who lost an arm after he was savaged by his American bulldogs has been arrested following alleged attacks on three other people while he exercised his pets, police said.

Stephen Potts, 48, from Pittington, County Durham, had his right arm amputated after being mauled by his beloved dogs in a vicious and prolonged attack as he walked them last month.

Rescuers came out of their houses to beat the frenzied pets with golf clubs, umbrellas and cricket bats in an attempt to save him.

He has now been arrested after an alleged mauling of another man, after the American Bulldogs and the man's Staffordshire bull terrier began fighting in the Belmont area of Durham City at about 1pm today.

The latest incident, as Mr Potts and a woman walked six dogs, happened about two miles from the previous one.

The 63-year-old victim was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Durham with injuries to his limbs and head and his condition is described as serious.

Two other women were also injured in the incident, one with bites to her hand and the other with injuries to her leg.

Mr Potts had only recently been allowed to go home after undergoing major surgery. It was understood he almost lost his left arm as well, but surgeons saved it.

A Durham Constabulary spokesman said: "A 48-year-old man from Pittington has been arrested in connection with the incident. He is currently being questioned by officers at Durham City police station."

The police also confirmed that all the dogs involved had been secured.

Both dogs involved in the attack on Mr Potts last month, which almost killed him, have been put down. One was shot by police marksmen.

Neighbourhood Chief Inspector for Durham Andy Huddleston said: "In September this man was attacked by his dogs and at that point we destroyed two of those dogs.

"There was nothing else lawfully at that moment in time we were able to do.

"In terms of what has happened today, it is a different incident where other members of the public have been involved. With that happening, it gives us powers.

"Tonight the animals involved have been taken into the care of the local authority.

"They will not be on the loose.

"In the days ahead we will be looking at the other animals that man has, as to whether or not he is in a position to look after them or not."