Jermaine Pennant hospitalised with 50 stitches after German Shepherd attack saved by his own dog

Jermaine Pennant was rushed to A&E last week after a German Shepherd latched onto his leg during a dog walk in North London, leaving the former Liverpool and Arsenal winger with four bite wounds and around 50 stitches. The 43-year-old has since revealed he may require plastic surgery on one of the wounds.

Pennant was walking his two dogs when the attack occurred. The German Shepherd seized his right leg and refused to release its grip as he attempted to shield his American Akita, King. It was King who ultimately intervened, fighting the dog off before Pennant’s girlfriend, Mimmi Montgomery, arranged transport to get him to hospital.

In a post on Instagram, Pennant described the moment King stepped in. “I was on the floor with the dog still attached with no sign of letting go, until King intervened,” he wrote. “The minute he did, he fought the dog off and saved what could’ve been a 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 that point I forgot the agony I was in and my heart sank, but it wasn’t King’s.”

Pennant praised both his dog and his partner, adding: “My hero still protecting me and trying to look after me. KING, you’re a legend — love you, man’s best friend.”

The former winger, who made over 150 appearances for Liverpool between 2006 and 2008, addressed the incident during a live-stream of Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brighton. Displaying his bandaged leg after Florian Wirtz opened the scoring, he told viewers: “It’s been an interesting week but it’s good to be back.”

After Alexander Isak added a second, Pennant reflected on the timing: “I had a bad week, terrible week, got attacked by a dog — but this is the remedy. Come on Liverpool.”

Responding to concerned comments during the stream, he confirmed his condition was improving. “The leg is okay, it’s a lot better — got to take the antibiotics and all that. May need plastic surgery for one of the wounds, but all good.”

Pennant remains under medical supervision while completing a course of medication for his injuries.