Dogsey

TRAUMATISED grandfather Frank Harris is recovering at home after he and his dog were attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier.

The dog sank his teeth into the shoulder of the 67-year-old from Mapperley, before turning on his four-year-old pet – a Bedlington terrier called Ash – who vets said was just half a centimetre away from losing his leg after the terrifying ordeal on Saturday night.

Mr Harris was walking Ash along Woodthorpe Drive as dusk fell and spotted a couple walking their dog in the distance.

"It was getting dark so I am not sure if they saw me," he said. "But the next thing I knew, the dog was running towards me and Ash, and sent me flying."

The dog started on the retired headteacher, biting his shoulder, before moving onto his pet, who he mauled whilst Mr Harris tried to fight him off.

"Ash was screaming like he was a rabbit being slaughtered," he said. "All I could do was fight to get the dog off him and try and save him."

Neighbours came to the aid of Mr Harris, who then rushed his pet to the vets.

He was told that if the bite had been 0.5cm higher, Ash would have to have had his leg amputated.

"It cost us £350 to go to the vets and he is still so unwell," said Mr Harris. "He is on antibiotics and is just lying around the house.

"It is going to take him some time before I can socialise him again and make him confident enough to go out."

But it was not just the dog that has been shaken up.

"I am physically fine, but I do feel a bit traumatised," said Mr Harris. "Just seeing that dog coming towards us, with his muscles bristling, he was so strong.

"I may be 67, but I am still fairly fit. There are a lot of elderly people around here with dogs, and children, and I just dread to think what would have happened to them if the dog had come at them."

Nottinghamshire Police confirmed a report had been made to them after an incident at the entrance of Woodthorpe Park.

A spokeswoman said: "The dog was described as a very muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and the couple were described as a white male and female, both in their 20s."

Mr Harris also reported it to the city council's dog wardens, but a spokeswoman said the matter would be dealt with by the police.