Ex-Premier League star Jermaine Pennant was left needing 50 stitches on a leg wound after he was viciously mauled by a dog.
The former Liverpool midfielder, 43, had been walking his own dog - an American Akita named King - when he was pounced on by a German Shepherd.
Pennant said it came after he 'stepped in to protect' King when the other dog 'had a go at him', only for the footballer to eventually be attacked himself.
He told The Sun: 'It was really scary. The other dog had a go at King, so I stepped in to protect him.
'The next thing I know, it was attacking me. I was on the floor and it was on my leg for at least five seconds.
'I felt this huge pressure. Imagine the force of a dog bite. King jumped in to protect me.'
Gory images showed the extent of Pennant's injuries, with his right shin left bloodied and scarred in the aftermath of the incident.
The former Stoke City star was treated for four bite wounds on his leg and told he may need surgery for one larger one.
Jermaine Pennant, 43, shared a picture from a hospital bed after having more than 50 stitches
The ex-Liverpool midfielder was attacked by a German Shepherd while walking his American Akita, named King
Pictures shared by the TalkSport host showed large wounds on his left shin
Pennant later thanked his dog for 'saving his life' in a heartfelt Instagram post
But Pennant ultimately had more than 50 stitches inserted at the hospital, before crediting King for standing up to the German Shepherd and 'saving his life'.
In an emotional Instagram caption accompanying a picture of him embracing his dog, Pennant wrote: 'So I was attacked by a German Shepherd, I tried to protect king but the dog got my leg, 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 an horrendous situation for me.
'King was unhurt with a little nip on his leg, but had blood covered all over him which wasn’t mine, at this point I forgot the agony I was in, and my heart sank, but it wasn’t kings.
'My hero still protecting me and trying to look after me, KING you’re a legend love you, man’s best friend, thanks for taking care of us both.'
Pennant said he has no intention of reporting the matter to the police.
There were some 29,400 cases of out-of-control dog attacks last year, marking a rise of 83 per cent on the 16,040 recorded in 2020.
Pennant retired from football at the age of 35 in 2018 following a 17-year career.
The 43-year-old made 231 Premier League appearances during stints with Stoke, Liverpool, Birmingham City, Leeds United, Portsmouth and Arsenal.
