A man has been left with horrifying injuries after he was savaged by a “large aggressive dog” during a nightmare attack.
Emergency services raced to a property in Knott End-on-Sea in Lancashire, after the victim was being attacked for a “sustained period of time” on Friday. Officers found the man, aged in his 50s, suffering from severe injuries to his head, neck and body.
The dog locked onto the victim, preventing locals from being able to free him. The victim was rushed to Royal Preston Hospital and was seen by medics. They said his injuries were “life-changing”.
The dog was later found outside a property in Lancaster Close and “immediately ran at the officers”. Police said they were forced to make the “difficult decision” to shoot the dog at the scene as they were “aware of the serious injuries already sustained by the victim and with concerns for the immediate safety of the officers”.
No further injuries were reported to members of the public and a 40-year-old man, from Knott End-on-Sea, was arrested on suspicion of being the owner of a dangerously out of control dog. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries, reports LancsLive.
In a statement, a force spokesperson said: “We were called to Lyme Grove, Knott End-on-Sea, at 10.06pm on April 4, following reports that a man was being attacked by a large, aggressive dog and he had suffered significant injuries to his head and neck.
“It was also reported that the attack had been occurring for a sustained period of time, in spite of numerous attempts by members of the public to intervene and free the victim.
“Officers, including armed response colleagues, attended and found a man in his 50s with a number of serious injuries to his head, neck and body. He has been taken to Royal Preston Hospital and although life-changing, his injuries are not now thought to be life-threatening.
“Following a search of the area, the dog was located outside a property in Lancaster Close and it immediately ran at the officers in attendance. Aware of the serious injuries already sustained by the victim and with concerns for the immediate safety of the officers, the difficult decision was taken for armed officers to shoot the dog at the scene.
“There are no reports of further injuries to members of the public at this time. A 40-year-old man from Knott End-on-Sea was arrested on suspicion of being the owner of a dangerously out of control dog and has now been bailed pending further enquiries.
“Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting log 1587 of April 4, 2025.”
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