Former Premier League footballer Jermaine Pennant has revealed that he received more than 50 stitches after being mauled by a German Shepherd in north London, with his own dog intervening to help fend off the attack.
According to the BBC, the 43-year-old former Liverpool and Stoke City winger was walking his two dogs last week when the German Shepherd seized his right leg and refused to release its grip.
Pennant said the incident occurred as he tried to protect his dog, King, before the animal intervened to confront the attacking dog.
“I tried to protect King but the dog got my leg, I was on the floor with the dog still attached with no sign of letting go, until King intervened as he didn’t know what was going on,” Pennant said.
Speaking to The Sun, Pennant disclosed that he sustained four bite wounds and required more than 50 stitches after being treated at a hospital.
Although King suffered a minor bite, Pennant said his dog escaped serious injury. He recalled initially worrying about King after noticing blood covering the animal, only to discover that it was not his dog’s blood.
Following the incident, Pennant shared a photograph on Instagram showing his injured leg wrapped in bandages, with King beside him on a sofa. He described the dog as his “hero” and thanked his partner, Mimmi Montgomery, for looking after them both.
The former footballer also revealed that he had decided not to report the attack to the police. He did not disclose further information about the German Shepherd or its owner.
Pennant made 231 Premier League appearances during a professional career spanning 19 years before retiring in 2018. He played for several clubs, including Liverpool and Stoke City, and later became a football pundit for TalkSPORT.
He joined Arsenal from Notts County in 1999 at the age of 15 in a £2.5m deal, becoming the most expensive trainee in English football at the time.
