A Scots grandad has had his thumb bitten off after allegedly being viciously mauled by a dangerously out-of-control dog.
The 72-year-old was walking his own pet in Blackburn, West Lothia n, on Friday morning when he spotted two XL American Bulldog-type dogs nearby.
He lifted his tiny pooch, named Domino, into his arms to keep him safe but was then knocked to the ground after the beasts allegedly broke free from their owner.
The dad was forced to kick and punch the dogs in a bid to get them off but suffered numerous bite injuries on his face, neck, body and hands during the savage attack.
He was rushed to St John's Hospital in Livingston for treatment where he is awaiting surgery on his badly damaged hand.
His son, David Jones, recovered his dad’s severed digit from the grass at the scene but said doctors were unable to save it.
The family claims they have now been told that one of the dogs involved has ‘run away’ while no charges have been made against the animal’s owner.
David said: “It happened right next to his house at this field where people walk their dogs.
“Dad has been out with his dog on a lead and has seen these two huge dogs coming towards him.
“He’s picked up his dog, Domino, and stood out the way but they’ve knocked him to the ground.
“He thought they’d killed his dog but he had managed to run away and that's when the other dog attacked him.
“He’s got bites on his face, his neck and both his hands have been butchered. He’s like a broken man.
“He’s waiting to be operated on at St John’s Hospital now and they’re having to remove more of his finger.
“My mum phoned me in a panic and told me that dad had been attacked and that he was in a bad way. I told her to call an ambulance and I got there just when it arrived.
“I couldn’t believe the state of him when I saw him.
“I found my dad’s thumb lying in the grass and put it on ice but they couldn’t save it. I’ve actually got it sitting in a bag of ice.
“I called the police all day yesterday and last night because I couldn’t sleep. I called them again this morning and asked the officer what was happening.
“They’ve said that they’ve spoken to its owner and that it has run away. They've also said that it’s a matter for the council’s dog department. So a dog which has attacked someone is potentially on the loose.”
Little Domino has since been released from the vet after having his leg bite injuries dressed while his owner remains in hospital.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11am on Friday, 16 July, we received a report of a 72-year-old man having been injured following a dog-on-dog attack near Happy Valley Road in Blackburn.
“The man was taken to St John’s Hospital for treatment to serious injuries.
“Enquiries into the incident are underway.”
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