Man attacked by pit bull dog in Thatto Heath while cycling

Mark McDuff was on his way to work at the Mercure Hotel on Chalon Way on Sunday morning (June 13) when the dog attacked him in what police described as an "appalling incident".

A man has been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in connection with the attack. 

At around 6.15am Mark, 28, was attacked by the pit bull while he was cycling along Crossley Road, Thatto Heath.

Police say it was reported that a woman driving a red Renault van arrived at the scene, put the animal in the back of the car and then drove away.

Emergency services attended the scene and Mark was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

He sustained numerous bite marks, including on an arm and severed tendons in his thigh and was taken to theatre at Whiston Hospital.

He has since been discharged from hospital.

Following enquiries, police located the Renault van at an address on Fidler Street, Toll Bar and seized the dog, a pit bull.

A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

He has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries, police say.

Meanwhile, a 44-year-old woman has attended a police station for interview in connection with the incident.

Police enquiries into the attack remain ongoing.

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Inspector John Cooke said: “This was an appalling incident leaving a man seriously injured and I want to make it clear that we will not tolerate irresponsible dog ownership.

“It is a criminal offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control and dog owners have a responsibility to ensure their dog does not inflict such terrible injuries on anyone.

“I would also ask anyone with information about this incident or dangerous dogs in their area to contact us so that we can take action."

• Anyone who witnessed the attack or who has any information, is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police Contact Centre . People can also call 101 quoting incident reference 21000412656 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information .