Jermaine Pennant, the 43-year-old former Arsenal and Liverpool winger, suffered severe leg injuries in a dog attack, requiring over 50 stitches. He recounted the terrifying experience on social media and in an interview with The Sun.
The incident occurred in a North London park when Pennant was walking his American Akita, "Kim," off-leash. A German Shepherd suddenly charged and attacked his dog. Pennant intervened to protect Kim and was then attacked by the German Shepherd, knocked to the ground, and bitten on his right leg for at least five seconds.
In a critical moment, his own Akita, Kim, stepped forward and drove off the attacker. Kim sustained only a minor bite wound on its leg but was covered in the other dog's blood. After they were safe, Kim stayed by Pennant's side until help arrived. Pennant reflected that if his beloved dog had been smaller, his own outcome would have been unimaginable, crediting Kim with saving his life.
Pennant sustained four bite wounds on his right leg and took an Uber to the hospital for treatment. The veteran winger played in both the Premier League and La Liga during his career. In addition to Arsenal and Liverpool, he also played for Birmingham City, Portsmouth, and Stoke City, and represented Villarreal in La Liga.