Former Premier League footballer Jermaine Pennant says he needed more than 50 stitches after being mauled by a dog.

The 43-year-old was walking his two dogs in north London last week when he was attacked by a German Shepherd.

The former Liverpool and Stoke City winger said the dog latched on to his leg and refused to let go as he tried to protect his own dog, King.

King then intervened to help fight off the attacking dog, preventing “what could’ve been an horrendous situation”, Pennant said in a post on Instagram., external

Pennant told the Sun, external he required more than 50 stitches to his right leg after sustaining four bite wounds in the attack and receiving hospital treatment.

He added that King was unhurt, but did not give details about the German Shepherd. He said he declined to report the attack to police.

“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,” said Pennant.

“But 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 this point I forgot the agony I was in, and my heart sank, but it wasn’t King’s.”

The picture uploaded to Instagram shows Pennant with a bandage on his leg alongside King on a sofa, while he also thanked his partner Mimmi Montgomery for looking after them.

“My hero still protecting me and trying to look after me. King you’re a legend, love you, man’s best friend. Thanks Mimmi Montgomery for taking care of us both.”

Pennant, who is a pundit for Talksport, made 231 Premier League appearances in a 19-year career before retiring in 2018.