This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-29309358

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
American bulldog attack: County Durham man mauled in street American bulldog attack: Victim's head dragged along in dogs' mouths
(about 7 hours later)
Bystanders tried to beat off two pet dogs with spades and golf clubs after they turned on their owner in a "shocking" attack in County Durham. Bystanders who tried to beat off two dogs when they turned on their owner have told how he was dragged along with his head in their mouths.
Witness Alison Metcalf said she saw the man, 47, being "ripped to bits" by the two American bulldogs at Priors Grange, High Pittington, on Sunday evening. Desperate witnesses used spades and golf clubs to try and stop the American bulldogs during the attack in Priors Grange, High Pittington, County Durham.
He was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Drivers even tried to ram the dogs with their cars, witnesses said.
One of the dogs was caught at the scene and shot by police officers. The second dog has been taken to kennels. The 47-year-old victim suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries during the attack on Sunday evening.
'Horrendous injury' Witness Alison Metcalf said he was thrown around "like a rag doll" and a child would not have survived the attack.
Ms Metcalf said: "They turned on their owner, they were dragging him around the road. One of the dogs was caught at the scene and shot by police officers. The second dog was taken to kennels.
"They were ripping his clothes off him, biting him, they didn't appear to be aggressive they were wagging their tails and they didn't turn on anyone else. 'Wagging tails'
Ms Metcalf said: "They were ripping his clothes off him, biting him, they didn't appear to be aggressive they were wagging their tails and they didn't turn on anyone else.
"He had an horrendous arm injury, some facial injuries and I believe a leg injury. He was being ripped to bits."He had an horrendous arm injury, some facial injuries and I believe a leg injury. He was being ripped to bits.
"All the men came out with spades and golf clubs trying to get the dogs off. People even got their cars out and tried to ram the dogs with cars, but they didn't touch them. "All the men came out with spades and golf clubs trying to get the dogs off.
"He was semi-conscious, he was obviously in a lot of pain, his arm was the worst injury I've ever seen." "People even got their cars out and tried to ram the dogs with cars, but they didn't touch them.
A spokesman for Durham Police said it was "necessary for reasons of public safety" to "humanely destroy" one of the dogs after the "shocking incident". "He was semi-conscious, he was obviously in a lot of pain, his arm was the worst injury I've ever seen.
"Quite frankly a smaller person or child would not have survived it."
'Decision to help'
Other witnesses said the dogs gripped the man's head in their mouths and "almost ripped off" his arm.
Ms Metcalf said the attack happened outside her home at about 21:10 BST.
She said: "I thought I heard somebody shout 'help me' but I couldn't be certain, then I heard my husband come flying in, he threw our own dog through the front door, and said 'there's a man on the ground'".
She believes fireworks may have "spooked" the bulldogs.
Insp Dave Coxon, of Durham Police praised the public's response.
He said: "People looked out of the window, and made that split-second, conscious decision they were prepared to do something is really heart-warming.
"It's in the best traditions of the people of County Durham."