Dog attack survivor tells how two animals came ‘bounding’ towards him before biting him four times as school went into lockdown with parents warned ‘the dogs will kill a human’
- Simon Edge has recalled horror moment he was bitten by the dangerous dogs
- The out-of-control animals tore into his flesh as he was was bitten four times
- West Midlands Police have confirmed they arrested a 28-year-old man
A man who was savaged by two dogs has recalled the horror incident, saying the animals ‘bounded’ up to him and mauled at his arm.
Simon Edge was walking home from a trip to the dentist when he was pounced on by the vicious dogs at Willow Gardens, Winson Green, Birmingham, yesterday afternoon around 2.30pm.
The victim says the out-of-control animals tore into his flesh as he was bitten four times in the attack – on his lower back, arm and torso.
The dogs then ran off to attack other people – six people were reported to have been bitten, including a child and and elderly man – as Mr Edge ran off to seek cover in his house nearby.
He attended City Hospital’s A&E, where he found himself waiting with other victims including a young girl, one of his neighbours and the relative of a man who had been bitten.
West Midlands Police have confirmed they arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of possessing a dog that was dangerously out of control.
Police were seen patrolling the area yesterday afternoon, after receiving reports dogs were attacking residents
Police blocked off access yesterday to back gardens and retained a presence in the area into the evening. West Midlands Police said six had sustained ‘bite injuries’ in the attacks but that none were life-threatening
Officers were called shortly after 2.30pm, just before the school day at Barford Primary School – which was reportedly put into lockdown – had finished.
They seized two dogs, which have since been kennelled.
In opening up about the moment the dogs tore into Mr Edge’s flesh, he told BirminghamLive: ‘These two dogs came bounding towards me. I don’t know what breed they were but they were big. One was a bluey grey, the other was chocolate brown, black. I sort of moved out the way a bit and they set about me.
‘I got bitten four times, twice on the lower back, on the left arm and once on the left-hand side of my torso. There was a car next to me with a lady inside and she was screaming with her hands up.
‘The dogs let me go and ran off in the direction of the Muslim Funeral Directors on Barford Road. I went home and my wounds were stinging.’
He then called the police, who informed him they were aware of the incident as they had received other reports, and were sending out a specialist dog unit to the scene.
After he staggered yards to his house on Willow Gardens, Mr Edge took photos of his clothing, as one shows his t-shirt ripped at the hip, with two gaping holes.
Another image shows the gash in Mr Edge’s side, which he sustained after being bitten by the wild dogs.
A third photo shows a deep hole just above his elbow, still red and sore from the attack.
While at City Hospital A&E, Mr Edge said he was shocked to see the extent of the injuries that others were suffering with, saying that his were ‘mild in comparison’.
The medics patched up his wounds, gave him a tetanus jab and antibiotics.
Children at the nearby Barford Primary School were also reportedly kept in the school as officers attempted to bring the animals under control.
Just before picking their children up, parents yesterday sent a chilling text message that ‘dangerous dogs’ were circling the primary school.
Pictured: The chilling text message that parents were sent before they picked up their children from Barford Primary School
They were informed that the Senior Management Team (SMT) at the school was keeping their children ‘safe’, until they received confirmation they could release them.
The shocking text message that was sent read: ‘We have just been informed by the police that there are 2 potentially very dangerous dogs circling the school. We will not be dismissing any children at their usual time from the advice from the police who are currently on Barford Road.
‘We will keep them safe in school hall until we have heard from the police that it is safe to release them. For your own safety please stay in your cars, we will text/email as soon as we can release your children.
The likelihood is that the dogs will kill a human and the police are trying to make the situation safe. Members of SMT will be inside the gates to make parents aware of the situation’.
West Midlands Police said: ‘We have arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of possessing a dog which was dangerously out of control after a number of people received injuries after being attacked by two dogs.
‘We were called to Willow Gardens, Winson Green, shortly after 2.30pm today (April 18), following reports two dogs were on the loose and attacking people.
‘An elderly man was taken to hospital with bite injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening. Five other people have been presented at hospital with bite injuries which are also not believed to be life-threatening. We have seized two dogs and both have been taken to secure kennels.
‘We are investigating the incident and appeal for anyone with any information to contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101 quoting log number 2743 of 18 April.’
A section of Winson Green was reportedly sealed off after the alleged attack, which took place in a small residential street.
Police blocked off access yesterday to back gardens and retained a presence in the area into the evening.
West Midlands Police said six had sustained ‘bite injuries’ in the attacks but that none were life-threatening.
The pensioner attacked was taken to hospital with bite injuries.
Paramedics were also said to have been called to the scene.
Police have launched an investigation and said witnesses can get in touch via Live Chat on the West Midlands Police website or by calling 101 quoting log number 2743 of April 18.’
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