Jermaine Pennant Needs 50 Stitches After German Shepherd Attack
Former Liverpool and Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant has required more than 50 stitches after being bitten by a German shepherd while walking his dog in north London.
Incident in north London park
Pennant, 43, had taken his American Akita, King, to a park and allowed the dog off the lead when the confrontation occurred. He said the German shepherd first went for King, prompting him to intervene.
The former Premier League player said he was then attacked himself and brought to the ground, with the dog holding on to his right leg for several seconds.
- Pennant sustained four bite wounds to his right leg.
- He travelled to hospital by Uber for treatment.
- More than 50 stitches were needed following the attack.
- King suffered only a small bite to his leg.
King stepped in to protect Pennant
Pennant said King intervened while he was on the floor, forcing the other dog away. He described feeling severe pressure from the bite and said the situation had been frightening.
After the two dogs fought, King remained at Pennant’s side until assistance arrived. Pennant called his dog a hero and said the outcome could have been far worse had King been smaller.
Although King was covered in blood after the incident, Pennant said it was not his dog’s blood. The sight initially caused him alarm, before he established that King had escaped serious injury.
Former Premier League career
Pennant is best known for his spells with Arsenal and Liverpool, featuring for the latter in the 2007 Champions League final. During a lengthy career, he also represented Leeds United, Birmingham City, Portsmouth and Stoke City in the Premier League.
He also played in Spain with Villarreal, adding LaLiga experience to a career that took him across English and European football.
