Police search for 'savage' dog after 'traumatic' attack on Nottingham man

Police are searching for a "savage" dog after a Nottingham man's arm was bitten through to the bone in a "traumatic" attack. Ian Douglas was strolling through a park in Sneinton last Thursday (October 24) when he was mauled by the pet, believed to be a bully or boxer type.

The 64-year-old recalled "screaming hysterically" before its owner intervened and was eventually taken to hospital after lying in the street with blood gushing from his arm. Nottinghamshire Police are now searching for the dog and its owner.

Mr Douglas says he is fearful about the dog still being out there. “I’m really concerned this dog is so savage, I couldn’t have fended it off on my own. Suppose it would have been a child? That’s my worry," he said.

The author was walking at the Mounts near Edale Road in the afternoon when he came across the dog. “As I emerged onto the grassland I saw a man and his dog on the other side of a large steel fence, he recalled

"The dog immediately ran towards me but couldn’t get through the fence." Attempting to get away down a nearby path, Mr Douglas came to a dead-end.

WARNING: The photo below contains graphic injuries

“I turned round and the dog was there. It attacked and mauled my arm, one bite went straight through to the bone.

“I was screaming hysterically. It felt like forever but it was only a few moments."

Mr Douglas managed to stay on his feet until the owner caught up and pulled the dog away. "The dog was so strong and so fast I didn’t stand a chance," he said.

“[The owner] said ‘is it hurting?’ I said ‘of course it’s ****ing hurting, your dog’s biting my arm off’. He said he’d take the dog back and then come back and then disappeared.

“The shock started to kick in and I felt like I was going to pass out. I was hysterical."

After waiting a short while he decided to walk back to Edale Road and call an ambulance. "I was bleeding everywhere and laid down on the street," said Mr Douglas.

He was taken to A&E by a passer-by and underwent surgery the next day. Mr Douglas said he had been forced to take four weeks off work but has luckily avoided any long-term damage to his arm.

Mr Douglas described the dog owner as a white man in his 20s who is around six foot tall and of a large build. He has blond hair and a neck beard and was wearing baggy sports gear and a blue hat at the time.

“I don’t wish him or the dog ill but I would say that dog is dangerous and something needs to be done to make sure it’s safe," he said.

“I have emotional flashbacks, I’m hoping that’s going to pass." Mr Douglas paid tribute to four people who came to his aid after the attack - Ashley, Kaz, Callum and Kevin - who helped treat him on the street and take him to hospital.

“Those people made a huge difference to my day. They went out their way and gave their time to look after me. That’s a wonderful example of Sneinton and its people," he said.

Sergeant Ash Small, of Nottinghamshire Police, said the force was keen to trace the owner and take his account of what happened. "The victim has been left with a nasty injury from the bite so I’d urge anyone with information to get in touch," the sergeant said.

“The breed of the dog is unclear from the victim’s account but the owner is described as a white man, aged in his 20s, with blonde hair and of a large build.” Anyone who can assist should call 101, quoting incident number 471 of 24 October 2024, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.