Former Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant left needing 50 stitches after dog attack

Pennant stepped in to save his own dog.

Pennant, now 43, detailed how the incident took place as he was walking his own dog in north London last week, during which his pet was attacked by a German Shepherd.

The German Shepherd is said by Pennant to have latched onto his leg, as he attempted to keep it away from his pet, King.

King then intervened, helping to fight off the dog, and in doing so ensured that they avoided what would have been, "an horrendous situation," Pennant said via his Instagram account.

In his interview with the Sun, the retired footballer, who also played for Stoke City in the Premier League, said he needed 50 stitches in his leg following the attack. He also required hospital treatment.

He said that his pet King was unharmed.

Pennant said: "So I was attacked by a German shepherd, 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.

"But the minute he did he fought the dog off and saved what could've been a horrendous situation for me.

"King was unhurt with a little nip on his leg, but had blood covered all over him which wasn't mine.

"At this point I forgot the agony I was in, and my heart sank, but it wasn't King's."

Pennant made 231 Premier League appearances over the course of a 19-year playing career. He retired in 2018.