Oct 26 - Former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant was saved by his own dog after a German Shepherd dog attacked him in the street, British media reported.

Pennant needed more than 50 stitches after the incident and the 43-year-old posted a photo on social media showing his right leg heavily bandaged.

"So I was attacked by a German Shepherd, I tried to protect (my dog) King but the dog got my leg," Pennant, who retired in 2018, wrote on Instagram.

"I was on the floor with the dog still attached with no sign of letting go, until King intervened ... he fought the dog off and saved what could’ve been a horrendous situation for me."

King suffered a minor leg injury.

"My hero, still protecting me and trying to look after me, King you’re a legend love you, man’s best friend," Pennant wrote. REUTERS