Former Liverpool and Arsenal player Jermaine Pennant required more than 50 stitches after being attacked by a dog during a walk in north London.
The 43-year-old suffered four bites to his right leg after becoming involved in a confrontation between his American Akita, King, and a German Shepherd.
Pennant was walking with King when the two dogs encountered each other. The German Shepherd attacked King, prompting Pennant to intervene and try to protect his dog. He then became the focus of the attack himself.
“It was really frightening. The other dog attacked King, so I stepped in to protect him,” Pennant said.
He said he soon realised the dog was attacking him directly. Pennant fell to the ground as the animal clamped its jaws around his leg for at least five seconds.
“I felt an enormous amount of pressure,” he added, describing the force of the bite.
Both dogs were loose during the incident. Pennant said King then tried to defend him, and the two animals became involved in a violent struggle.
He said King remained by his side until help arrived.
Pennant’s partner of two years, Mimi Montgomery, arranged for him to travel to the emergency department in an Uber taxi.
The former player was treated in hospital for four bite wounds to his right leg and remained there from Friday until Saturday. He was also told that one of the larger wounds might require cosmetic surgery.
Despite the seriousness of the injuries, Pennant decided not to report the incident to police.
“This is something that can happen. I’m fine, and the dog is fine. Everything is all right,” he said.
Pennant’s Premier League career
Pennant played 231 Premier League matches during his professional career. He made 12 appearances for Arsenal and 55 for Liverpool, as well as representing Leeds United, Birmingham City, Portsmouth and Stoke City.
He ended his playing career in 2018 after spells with several prominent English clubs.
