Two ‘Rottweilers’ shot dead after attack leaves pensioner fighting for life

Two dogs have been shot and killed by police after they mauled an elderly man in the street.

A pensioner in his 70s was savaged by two dogs – believed to be Rottweilers – as he walked his own small dog in Bognor Regis, West Sussex on Friday morning.

He suffered serious injuries in the vicious attack in Lewes Close and was taken to hospital, where he currently remains in a life-threatening condition. 

Police say they received multiple reports of the horrifying incident at around 9.50am.

Specialist firearms officers rushed to the scene and shot both dogs dead.

The owner of the dogs, a 29-year-old man from Bognor Regis, has been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.  

He remains in custody. 

Forensic investigators were pictured in the area, which was cordoned off in the aftermath.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: ‘Due to the significant threat to life – and in order to protect the wider community – specialist firearms officers were swiftly deployed to the scene and granted authority to bring the dogs safely under control.

‘Firearms were discharged and both dogs are now deceased.’

Chief Superintendent Alex Geldart said: ‘We acknowledge the distressing nature of this incident, and our thoughts remain with the victim and his family, who continue to be supported by officers.

‘As part of our ongoing criminal investigation, we will thoroughly review any previous concerns raised with police or partner agencies.

‘While our work to establish the exact circumstances of what happened is ongoing, I would urge anyone with information – including mobile or CCTV footage – to please come forward.’

On Thursday, a woman was seriously hurt by a bully XL dog after it attacked her while she was pushing her young child in a pram.

A five-year-old girl also suffered serious injuries to her face after she was mauled by a dog last weekend.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.