The 88-year-old man, known to the community as Bluey, was taking his dog for its daily walk along Gill Ave in Liverpool about 10am today when the dog was set upon by a passing pit bull or mastiff, neighbours said.
The offending dog apparently dragged its owner across the road in an effort to get to Bluey and his pet, according to neighbours who witnessed the attack.
While trying to fend the animal off his dog, it then turned on Bluey.
“The fight was absolutely shocking,” neighbour Melvine Lang said.
Her daughter-in-law, Vickie Lang, said she raced out and saw Bluey lying on the ground, with the dog locked onto his hand.
While the dog’s owner was hitting his dog with his hand, a couple of good Samaritans driving past pulled over and also tried to pull the dog off, Ms Lang said.
“They were trying to rip the jaws open ... and I just said kick it in the rear end,” Vickie said.
The dog released the old man’s hand after being kicked, two or three of his fingers bitten about three quarters of the way through, witnesses said.
The dog’s owner then took the dog back to his car and drove off once the police were mentioned, Ms Lang said.
A trained nurse, Ms Lang and her husband Marcus Lang cleaned and bandaged Bluey’s hand until paramedics arrived.
“His fingers were hanging off at the end,” Mr Lang said. “I kept him busy talking so his mind was off it while we were waiting for the ambulance.”
Police have confirmed the elderly man has been released from Liverpool Hospital with his fingers intact, but will need plastic surgery.
The dog that was attacked was taken to a nearby vet with minor wounds.
Witnesses or anyone with information are being asked to call Liverpool Police on 9821 8444.
(The Daily Telegraph - Sept 14, 2015)
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