A Worcester businessman feared for his safety when he came face to face with a "dangerous dog" wandering around off its lead in the city centre.
Peter Johnson, who runs sporting memorabilia company Firma Stella Sports, was even more shocked when its owner eventually appeared and warned the unrestrained dog could attack.
Mr Johnson was walking his black Labrador on its lead along the high street yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, September 13).
Although the dog, which he thinks could have been a grey pitbull or an American bully, didn’t actually attack, Mr Johnson is worried that someone is going to get hurt - or worse.
American bully dogs have been involved in a number of high-profile attacks - including one on an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham last weekend - and home secretary Suella Braverman has called for the controversial breed to be banned.
The American bully XL is the largest type of the breed and is strong enough to overpower an adult.
READ MORE: The millionaire city businessman who meets the likes of Gascoigne, Ronaldo and Messi
Mr Johnson said it was a “huge” dog that approached his labrador Leo outside Boots in Worcester.
“It was off the lead and came up to my dog,” he said.
“I went to run off with my dog because it was one of these bully dogs, these nightmare dogs.
“Then someone shouted ‘don’t run’ so I turned around and a guy was gesturing as if to say if I ran, I was going to get attacked.
“I said ‘get your dog then’ and he said ‘don’t you start on at me’ and looked like he was going to beat me up.
“I was completely powerless - it was a horrible feeling.”
READ MORE: Man arrested after 11-year-old injured in attack by American bully XL dog
Mr Johnson said the dog’s owner eventually got it back on a lead but is concerned that next time, someone will be hurt.
“This is a dangerous dog being let off its lead in the high street at 3.30pm on a Wednesday afternoon - what if it attacks a child next time? It’s a danger to society,” he said.
“I don’t blame the dog, it’s the owner - he was very aggressive.
“The police came out but didn’t take it too seriously. Maybe they’ll only do that if the dog attacks someone.”
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "Police were called to Worcester High Street yesterday (Wednesday, September 13) around 3.50pm following a verbal altercation between two men over a concern about a dog not on a lead.
"The owner shortly put the dog back on the lead. No one was injured."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel