UK: Worker attacked by dog in Derby street

UK: Worker attacked by dog in Derby street
Thursday, February 19, 2009, 08:00

THE victim of a vicious dog attack had to undergo surgery after the animal dragged him to the ground and broke his arm. John Holness has had his right arm pinned and may have to stay in hospital for five days. Police are now appealing for witnesses to the attack.

Mr Holness was walking to work at S&A Foods, in Normanton, when the German shepherd pounced on him. The dog dragged the 45-year-old to the ground before it was pulled away by its owner, who then ran off with his pet. Mr Holness said: "I was on my way to work when I saw this dog walking away from its owner and sniffing the ground.

"Before I knew it, the dog jumped up at me and clamped its teeth around my arm. It was strong and it pulled me to the ground. "I was shocked and terrified – I could not get it off my arm. Because I've had problems with my heart in the past, I was struggling to breathe and thought I might have an attack.

"I pleaded with the owner and kept on shouting for him to put the dog back on its lead. When it let go I was lying on the floor and thought it was going to go for me again, around the neck or something. The owner managed to grab it before it had another go at me. He said, 'Sorry about that, mate' and ran off, leaving me lying in the road."

Mr Holness was attacked in Castings Street at about 5.40pm on Monday. As he lay on the floor, he managed to get to his mobile phone and call an ambulance. But the factory worker, who has suffered from angina in the past, was so short of breath he could not speak. Passers-by came to his aid and called an ambulance, which took him to Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.

Mr Holness, of Crewe Street, who is married to Grace, 41, has been told he will have to remain there until tomorrow at least. He said: "I feel sure that if that dog had gone for me a second time, it could have killed me. I was lying helpless in the road. The dog and its owner need to be found. I am just thankful that I was at least able to put up a bit of a fight. If it had been a child, I dread to think what the outcome would have been."

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire police said officers were appealing for witnesses. She said: "Mr Holness was attacked by a German shepherd dog and suffered a break and cuts to his right arm. The dog was not on a lead and the owner, who was in his mid-40s, with long, dark hair, was wearing a high-visibility jacket and woolly hat. He went off in the direction of Coronation Street."

Witnesses, or anyone with information, should contact police on 0345 123 3333.

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