Former Premier League footballer Jermaine Pennant required more than 50 stitches after being attacked by a German Shepherd while walking his dogs in north London.
The 43-year-old said the dog bit his right leg four times and remained attached despite his attempts to protect his own dog, King. Pennant received hospital treatment after the incident, which happened last week.
King then intervened and helped drive the attacking dog away, preventing what Pennant described as “what could’ve been a horrendous situation”.
Speaking to the Sun, Pennant said he chose not to report the attack to police. He did not provide further details about the German Shepherd, but said King escaped without serious injury.
“So I was attacked by a German Shepherd. I tried to protect King, but the dog got my leg,” Pennant said.
“I was on the floor with the dog still attached, with no sign of letting go, until King intervened, as he didn’t know what was going on.
“But the minute he did, he fought the dog off and saved what could’ve been a horrendous situation for me.”
Pennant said King suffered only a small nip to his leg, although he was covered in blood.
“King was unhurt, with a little nip on his leg, but had blood all over him which wasn’t mine,” he added.
“At this point I forgot the agony I was in, and my heart sank, but it wasn’t King’s.”
A photograph posted by Pennant on Instagram showed him sitting on a sofa with King, his injured leg covered by a large bandage. He also thanked his partner, Mimmi Montgomery, for caring for them both after the attack.
“My hero still protecting me and trying to look after me. King, you’re a legend, love you, man’s best friend,” he wrote.
“Thanks, Mimmi Montgomery, for taking care of us both.”
Pennant, who is now a talkSPORT pundit, made 231 Premier League appearances during a 19-year playing career before retiring in 2018.
He began his career at Arsenal after joining from Notts County at the age of 15. The move, which took place before his professional debut, made him the most expensive trainee in English football at the time, with Arsenal paying £2.5m.
Pennant also played for Stoke City and Liverpool during his career.