A pensioner was mauled by a dog as he tried to prevent it attacking his beloved pet.
Warren Bath, 71, was walking his six-year-old Jack Russell rescue dog Tilly near his home when a Staffordshire Bull Terrier burst out of a front garden and began biting his pet.
After three people wrestled the animals apart, Mr Bath had to receive hospital treatment for bites to his arms and face.
Animal welfare officers are now investigating the incident, which could see the Staffie seized and rehomed.
Mr Bath, of Midhurst Walk, Hangleton, said: “It was absolutely terrifying. My wife was screaming.
“The dog just came belting out of a front garden on to the pavement as we were walking by.
“It’s soon to be the school holidays. If it had attacked a child, they would have had no chance.”
The incident took place in Hardwick Road in Hangleton on Sunday, December 16 at 9.15am.
Multiple injuries
Mr Bath, who admitted he is still shaken by the whole incident, had bandages wrapped around his hands after suffering cuts to his thumb and middle finger.
He has also been saddled with vets bills of hundreds of pounds after Tilly required 11 stitches.
Mr Bath said: “I’m an old age pensioner. I can’t afford all these bills.
“Tilley is a lovely dog. We have never had any problems before and there are a lot of dogs in the park.”
Councillor Dawn Barnett, who represents the area in Brighton and Hove City Council, said there had been three incidents of dog attacks in North Hangleton in the last week.
Animal wardens
She added: “I would like to see the person whose dog it is pay the vet bills.
“It’s not the dogs, it’s how they are treated. I really want to see the animal wardens get tough on people who do not look after dogs properly.”
A spokeswoman for Sussex Police confirmed its officers attended the scene and ensured Mr Bath and Tilley received treatment.
A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council confirmed its animal welfare team was investigating the incident.
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