Jermaine Pennant has revealed a terrifying ordeal where his own dog stepped in to save him from being mauled by a German Shepherd

Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has revealed a terrifying ordeal where he was attacked by a German Shepherd. The 43-year-old says that his dog saved his life after needing 50 stitches following an attack.

According to BBC Sport, Pennant was walking his two dogs in North London last week when he was attacked. The German Shepherd is said to have latched on to his leg and refused to let go as he tried to protect his dog, American Akita King.

King intervened, fighting off the German Shepherd, but it left the former Red hospitalised. Pennant admitted that he may require plastic surgery on one of the wounds but he will remain under supervision while taking medication for the wounds.

In a post to Instagram, he 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 an 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.

"My hero still protecting me and trying to look after me, KING you’re a legend love you, man’s best friend, thanks @‌mimmimontgomery for taking care of us both."

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The incident left him with four bite wounds on his right leg after his girlfriend Mimmi Montgomery booked him an taxi to take him to A&E where he was treated for the injuries.

Following his post on social media, Pennant addressed the issue during a live-stream of Liverpool's 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. After Florian Wirtz's effort deflected off Pascal Gross, the 43-year-old displayed his bandaged leg as he celebrated the Reds' opener.

He said: "It's been an interesting week but it's good to be back, hopefully to make it better Liverpool can get three points."

Shortly after Alexander Isak netted a second, he added: "I had a bad week, terrible week, got attacked by a dog but this is a remedy, this is the remedy, come on Liverpool.

During an interaction with the comments section, Pennant said: "The leg is okay, thanks for asking, it's a lot better, got to take the antibiotics and all that but it's okay.

"Friday night I got attacked by a German Shepherd, thankfully my dog was there to save the day. My partner rushed me to A&E, then went home; thankfully, my dog was unscathed.

"May need plastic surgery for one of the wounds. All good, all good though."