A MAN was bitten as he tried to stop two dogs attacking his pet in Heaton.

John George’s Parson Russell terrier Harpie was badly injured in the incident, suffering deep puncture wounds to his back.

Mr George, 64, received hospital treatment after he was bitten on his lower right leg by one of the two Alsatians involved. The attack happened at the junction of Shay Close, where Mr George lives with wife Marjorie, and Shay Lane at about 10.45pm on Saturday, August 20.

“I was taking him out for his last tiddle, which I habitually do,” said Mr George. “Then two Alsatians came charging down the road and set about him. There were no owners about at all.”

Mr George said one of the Alsatians clamped its jaws on Harpie’s back and pinned him down.

“One dog was a black-coloured one which did the most damage,” he said. “The other was slightly lighter, a brown colour.

“If I had not been there and done my bit beating them off, he would not have stood a chance.

“I got bitten on the leg for my efforts. But you don’t think about your own safety – in a split second I lashed out.

“They pinned my dog down with their jaws wrapped round his back. Harpie was yelping – he was very shocked about it. It took three to four days for him to come round and start eating and drinking.”

Mr George also fears he may have broken his coccyx during the drama, during which he fell backwards onto the road.

“I came down quite heavily on my backside,” said Mr George. “I don’t know whether I have broken the coccyx or if it is badly bruised. The doctor told me to see how it goes.”

He added: “It has been quite an ordeal. It was quite serious. They didn’t look like family dogs. They looked like guard dogs that had escaped from a compound somewhere.”

As well as his piercing injuries, Harpie developed an abscess under his skin which needed draining of fluid. His treatment has so far cost Mr and Mrs George about £500.

A police spokesman said officers were investigating, and added: “We are not aware of any recent reports of attacks by similar dogs in the area, but anyone with information is asked to contact the Bradford West Area Neighbourhood Team on 101, quoting crime reference 13160360162, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, who can be contacted on 0800 555111.”