Jermaine Pennant describes ‘terrifying’ dog attack after intervening to protect pet

Former Liverpool and Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant needed 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 trying to protect his American Akita, King, from a German Shepherd.

According to the British newspaper The Sun, Pennant was out walking with King when the two dogs encountered one another. The situation quickly became violent, with the German Shepherd attacking King before Pennant stepped in.

The former player then became the target of the attack.

“It was really scary. The other dog attacked King, so I intervened 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.

Describing the force of the bite, he said he felt “huge pressure” during the attack.

King stayed with Pennant

Pennant said King then came to his defence and became involved in a violent struggle with the other dog.

He added that King remained by his side until help arrived.

Both dogs were off their leads when the incident happened. Pennant’s girlfriend, Mimi Montgomery, with whom he has been in a relationship for two years, arranged for him to travel to the emergency department by taxi booked through Uber.

Pennant was treated in hospital for the four bite wounds to his right leg and remained there from Friday until Saturday. He was also told he might need cosmetic surgery because of one of the larger wounds.

Despite the seriousness of the injuries, Pennant decided not to report the incident to police.

“These things can happen. I’m fine, the dog is fine. Everything is all right,” he said.

Pennant’s Premier League career

Pennant made 231 Premier League appearances during his professional career.

He played 12 times in the competition for Arsenal and made 55 appearances for Liverpool. His other Premier League clubs included Leeds United, Birmingham City, Portsmouth and Stoke City.

The Englishman ended his playing career in 2018 after representing several prominent clubs in English football.