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SAVAGE ATTACK
Raging ‘Bullmastiff’ dragged me into oncoming traffic and bit a chunk from my chest – if I was a child I’d be dead
A MAN has revealed the horrific moment he thought he was going to die when a raging dog dragged him into oncoming traffic while launching a "savage" attack.
Gary Westwood, 38, told The Sun it was a "miracle" he survived after the beast - believed to be a Bullmastiff or similar breed - jumped over a fence "out of nowhere" and attacked him and his pet Spaniel Ozzy.
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Shocking footage shows Gary trying to fend off the dog to protect Ozzy and himself in a residential area in Sheffield popular with families and children.
The builder falls into the road during the struggle as the dog repeatedly lunges at his dog, before ripping his skin open.
Gary desperately held Ozzy in the air to protect it but suffered "brutal" injuries himself.
The ordeal only ended when another car pulled up to try and mow the dog down.
Read more on dog attacks
Armed police swooped on the area and Gary was rushed to hospital after the attack on Tuesday afternoon and has remained there since.
Speaking to The Sun from his hospital bed, Gary said: "It was horrific - I thought I was going to die.
"I'm lucky to be alive. It's a miracle I'm still here. If it was a child, they would be dead and would not be sat here able to say what happened.
"I've had nightmares about it since. Ozzy is only a little Spaniel and if this dog had got it then he would be dead now.
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";I was walking it near our home as usual and this dog just ran out of nowhere, jumped over a fence and before I had time to react it just launched its attack.
"How the hell was it out and able to just do that? It was crazy. It was a horrible experience. I had to pick Ozzy up to protect him and then it kept lunging for me.
"It has taken great chunks out of my body. I'm still in severe pain. It's agony. It tried to rip my arm off and went for the side of my body.
"The pain is terrible and it has just got worse."
Police arrived at the scene and a 53-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of having a dog dangerously out of control.
I'm lucky to be alive. It's a miracle I'm still here. If it was a child, they would be dead and would not be sat here able to say what happened
Gary Westwood
Gary added: "People should be safe to take their dogs out for a walk on their lead without this happening.
"It's a busy road with families. If it had got hold of one or two or more children they could have died.
"I didn't have time to properly think. Looking back it crossed my mind this might be it.
"I'm very lucky. But people should not have to put up with these threats and risk because a dog like that is roaming free.
"I'm glad the police are taking action.
"I'm a self-employed builder and I won't be able to work for a while.
"It's been a nightmare. I can't sleep properly and it impacts everybody."
Locals have rallied round Gary - even setting up a for him and his family while he is off work.
Police said the owner was "exceptionally apologetic for his dog's actions" and the dog will now be put down.
Dog legislation officer PC Paul Jameson said: "The owner of this dog is trying to act responsibly and reduce the risk this dog could cause in the future.
"This dog will now be put to sleep, humanely, by a vet."
He added that rehabilitation and rehoming of the dog was not deemed possible, adding: "We're pleased the owner is acknowledging the risk and making a responsible decision."
Chief Inspector Emma Cheney from South Yorkshire Police said last week: "All incidents of this nature are treated with the utmost diligence, and we will investigate thoroughly to ensure the community is kept safe.
"We would like to thank members of the public and medical staff who came to the aid of the victim, who has been taken to hospital for treatment at this time."
It comes after a spate of dog attacks in recent weeks.
A man died after being attacked last week by two dogs - suspected to be bully XLs - in Staffordshire.
Brave schoolgirl Ana Paun told how she also thought she was going to die after being savaged by an XL Bully in Birmingham.
Katie Deere was walking her dog with her daughter in a pram back in August, in Askern, Yorkshire, when the beast attacked.
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Jack Lis, was just 10 years old when he died in November 2021 having been mauled by an 8st dog called Beast.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has since announced he will be banning the XL Bully breed across the UK.
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