Jermaine Pennant was treated in hospital after being bitten four times on his right leg during a dog attack in north London.
The former Liverpool and Arsenal player required more than 50 stitches following the incident, which happened while he was out walking his American Akita, King.
According to The Sun, Pennant, 43, encountered a German Shepherd during the walk. Both dogs were off their leads when the confrontation began.
The German Shepherd attacked King, prompting Pennant to intervene. But the former footballer then became the focus of the attack himself.
“It was really frightening,” Pennant said. “The other dog attacked King, so I stepped in to protect him.”
Pennant said he soon realised the dog was biting him rather than his pet. He fell to the ground as the animal clamped its jaws around his leg for at least five seconds.
Describing the force of the attack, he said he felt “enormous pressure” as the dog bit down.
King helped defend his owner
Pennant said King then came to his aid and became involved in a violent struggle with the other dog.
He added that his American Akita remained beside him until help arrived.
Pennant’s partner, Mimi Montgomery, who has been in a relationship with him for two years, arranged for him to be taken to an emergency department in an Uber.
Doctors treated four bite wounds to his right leg, and Pennant remained in hospital from Friday until Saturday. He was also told that one of the larger wounds could require cosmetic surgery.
Despite the seriousness of his injuries, Pennant decided not to report the incident to the police.
“This is something that can happen,” he said. “I’m fine, the dog is fine. Everything is all right.”
Pennant’s Premier League career
Pennant made 231 Premier League appearances during his professional career.
He played 12 league matches for Arsenal and 55 for Liverpool, while also representing Leeds United, Birmingham City, Portsmouth and Stoke City.
The Englishman ended his playing career in 2018 after spells with several prominent clubs in English football.
