A partially-sighted pensioner was knocked to the ground in a dog attack as he walked his guide dog in Newhaven.

William Taylor, 84, of Iveagh Crescent in Newhaven, was walking his guide dog Webley on Friday when they were attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier or mastiff-type dog.

Mr Taylor was knocked to the floor by the force of the attack. He was bitten so badly on his wrist tendons were revealed and he needed treatment at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Mr Taylor said: “I remember my dog going round in circles and heard the sound of another dog barking in the distance.“Within a short amount of time it was on me and attacking me.

“The owner of the dog said to me as I was on the floor: 'Don't worry, I'll be back to help you.' But he never came back.

“A chap from one of the flats said he saw the dog owner clipping his pet onto its lead after it attacked me, so it must have been loose.“Another man said he had seen the owner doing a runner.

“I was shocked. It happened so quickly.”

He added: “It's worrying because there are children down here with small dogs that wouldn't stand a chance against dogs like the one that attacked me.

“The owner of the dog is an absolute coward and irresponsible.

“I'm worried now it's going to affect Webley's ability to guide me properly when he's out. It costs about £14,000 to get another dog.”

The owner of the dog is believed to be a white man, 5ft 9in, with short, untidy hair, wearing a dark blue hoodie and grey tracksuit bottoms with a stripe on each leg and black plimsolls.

A spokesman from Sussex Police said: “Police are investigating after an 84-year-old partially-sighted man and his guide dog were attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier/mastiff type dog on private land at Iveagh Crescent in Newhaven.”

Anyone who saw what happened or the dog's owner is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, quoting serial 563 of 17/1.