CCTV of dog attack owner released (From Times Series)

South Harrow dog attack pictures released

1:00pm Wednesday 6th January 2010 in News By Tristan Kirk

THESE are the first photos of the injuries sustained by a man and his dog in a vicious pitbull attack on New Year's Day.

The 58-year-old man, who has not been named, needed 60 stitches to his mouth, jaw and cheek after the pitbull type bit into his face in the savage attack.

The man had stepped in to save his pet Jack Russell terrier, which had been set upon by the dog in Station Parade as they were out for a walk at around midday.

The man needed emergency treatment for his wounds, and will continue to need ongoing medical treatment to repair the damage, police have said.

The man's pet had to undergo emergency treatment from a vet, and at one point it was feared he may not survive due to his injuries.

Detective Constable Will Ridler, who is investigating the broad daylight dog attack, appealed for witnesses to come forward to help catch the owner of the dog.

He said: ““This was an horrific attack which left the victim with serious facial injuries that required 60 stitches and will probably require ongoing medical treatment.

“We are extremely keen to speak to the owner of the pitbull or anyone with any information about the incident."

DC Ridler decided to release photos of the injuries to the man and dog to show the extent of the damage done, and has revealed a CCTV photo of the owner of the attack dog.

The white man, in his early 20s with short brown hair, ran away towards South Harrow station shortly after the attack, taking his dog with him.

Anyone with any information to help police call DC Ridler on 0208 733 5415 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

This horrific attack is the latest in a growing list of evidence that dogs, especially pitbulls, are being trained to be aggressive by young men around London.

Local authorities across the capital have reported trees are being damaged and destroyed as dogs are forced to chew the bark and hang off branches by their owners, with the aim of toughening them up.

The Harrow Times has reported this week how playgrounds in the borough are being damaged by dog owners making their pets bite into and hang off swing seats – again hoping it will toughen their jaw muscles.

PC John Bishop, wildlife crime officer in Harrow, has been tracking the rise in so-called status dog, and said it is the reason behind the creation of a unit in the Met specifically to deal with the problem.

In the last few months, he has been called out to two cases of banned pitbulls being kept by Harrow residents.