Dog attack victim thanks surgeon for saving his life

Arm amputated in life or death op after Steven, 48 suffered horrific mauling

-  JILLY BEATTIE

A MAN who was almost killed in a dog attack has thanked the surgeon who saved his life by amputating his left arm below the shoulder.

Steven Cull, from Co Down, reported being dragged to the ground by the large bulldog type animal in October last year.

He said he fought for his life twice, once during the attack and again in hospital when infections set in to bite wounds the dog had inflicted.

Surgeon Alastair Brown, a plastics expert based at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, said the wounds were the most serious dog attack injuries he had seen and presented a "life or limb" decision in the operating theatre.

Mr Brown managed to save both of his patient's legs and one arm but he was forced to amputate Steven's left arm which was too badly damaged to heal.

And despite the surgeries to repair deep wounds, the patient was at risk of infection for weeks.