SAVAGED IN THE STREET

Mirror journalist and his pet attacked by an out of control Bully-type hound

- TOM BRYANT

IT began as a black blur in the corner of my eye before taking frightening shape a moment later.

A snarling mass of muscle focused on one thing - Monty, my shih-tzu.

Less than a minute later, as I walked away shaking and with blood pouring down my arm, it dawned on me.

I had sat in Mirror editorial meetings for weeks hearing about the 26% rise in dog attacks since 2020, the debate on XL Bullys and our campaign to tackle dangerous dogs.

But I never imagined I would be distressed and injured at the centre of the same story. Yet as I gave Monty his 6.30pm walk in Harringay in North London, where I live, I became a sorry statistic in the dog attack epidemic.

It began five minutes from home when I saw a woman behind riding a bike towards me on the pavement.

Running off the lead shortly ahead of her was a black Bully-type dog.