WARNING: Graphic content - Man needs surgery after dog attack

David Kevill, 60, has spent the past three days in hospital, after the German Shepherd launched itself at him him as he walked in Walton Summit, near Preston.

After the attack, the dog’s owner simply said: “Sorry” ​and walked off. He has not yet been traced and Mr Kevill’s family are hoping he will be caught to stop the dog biting anyone else.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Kevill told the Post: “It was a shock to say the least. I didn’t do anything to provoke the dog, it just attacked me for nothing.

“I’m a dog lover and I wouldn’t want to see it put down if this is the first time it has ever attacked anyone. But if it’s done this before that’s a different matter.

“I shudder to think what could have happened if it had been a child rather than an adult that it grabbed.”

Mr Kevill, of Hudson Court, Bamber Bridge, was out walking around 1.30pm on Monday as rehabilitation following a previous stay in hospital.

Hs said: “I was on Tramway Lane between Kellet Lane and Four Oaks Road when I saw this man and his dog out of the corner of my eye coming out of a side passageway. I said ‘hello’ and carried on walking.

“Then suddenly I felt this tremendous pressure on my hand first of all. Instinct kicked in and I just stood still. I didn’t want the dog to think I was being aggressive.

“The man got it off my hand, but then it got hold of my arm. I just froze again until he could get it off.

“I didn’t turn round, so I didn’t see the man’s face. I just heard him say, ‘Sorry about that’ twice as I walked away.

“I didn’t realise how serious it was until I got home and took my coat and cardigan off. I couldn’t believe the size of the wound.

“I’ve had initial surgery and they have managed to close the wound up to the size of a 10 pence piece. But I’ve got to have plastic surgery today to finish the job.

“I’m not after having the dog put down, but the owner needs tracing because, judging by what it did to me with no provocation, it could do it again. And heaven forbid that would be to a child. It should have been muzzled.”

Mr Kevill attended Chorley Hospital, but was transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital for surgery.

He is hoping to be discharged tomorrow - it is his wife Judith’s birthday on Saturday.

Son Daniel, from Preston, put an graphic picture of his dad’s arm on social media and readers claimed there had been other incidents involving a dog in the same area.

“Since I posted a picture on Facebook of his arm, it has gone mad,” he said.

​“People have been talking about similar incidents, so we need to find out if there is a link.”

Police have been informed and officers are due to meet with the Kevill family today. A Lancashire police spokesman confirmed the matter was being investigated.