Man attacked by dogs trying to save his puppy in Crossways

And Daniel Rutter, who suffered bites and scratches, claims a woman thought to be the dogs' owner did little to stop the attack against him.

The Echo has attempted to reach out to the woman for her version of events. 

Mr Rutter, 35, suffers from a rare genetic disorder which causes autism, ADHD, dyspraxia and depression.

Mr Rutter says he was walking his new puppy, Nova, in a field in Crossways when two larger 'Labrador-type' dogs appeared with a woman.

Although his puppy put her stomach in the air, the dogs still attacked, and Mr Rutter feared they would kill her.

He picked up Nova, at which point the dogs began to scratch and bite at him. His puppy even left his grasp and fled, but the dogs continued attacking him before the owner could stop them.

Mr Rutter said: "I saw these two dogs approach quite fast. The bigger one growled at her (the puppy) and she went into a submissive position, and then both of them went for her.

"I tried to pull her away but it wasn't working so I picked her up because it looked like they were trying to kill her. I was not just going to let my dog be savaged.

"The dogs just jumped and they kept going for me and her. 

"The woman was shouting but not doing much. I turned my back to them but they jumped up at me. I didn't think it was going to stop. It was overwhelming me. She (the owner) had no control."

Nova the dog (Image: Daniel Rutter)

Mr Rutter suffered 'the worst bruises he has ever seen' along with bites and scratches, and went to A&E following the incident. His cut could not be stitched because it was a dog bite, and later became infected.

Daniel's injuries (Image: Daniel Rutter)

His dog also suffered injuries and needed to be taken to the vet, and has been 'traumatised' by the incident.

Mr Rutter says he has since approached the woman to ask for help with the vet's bill but claims she has not been supportive, after initially saying she would assist.

The Echo has attempted to contact her for a comment.

This incident has been reported to the dog warden and Dorset Police and Mr Rutter has now given a statement to officers.

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: "Dorset Council received a report regarding an incident of an alleged dog-on-dog attack, which led to injuries being sustained by one of the owners.

“Dorset Police had already been informed, and we deployed an Animal Welfare & Dog Control Officer to speak to both the injured party and the other dog owner.

"They advised that a dog-on-human bite incident is formally dealt with by the police. We sent a copy of the report to their Dog Legislation Officer.”