Ex-Premier League Star Jermaine Pennant Gets Over 50 Stitches After Dog Attack

Former Premier League footballer Jermaine Pennant has revealed that he received more than 50 stitches after a German Shepherd attacked him in north London, with his own dog intervening to help fight off the animal.

According to the BBC, the 43-year-old former Liverpool and Stoke City winger was walking his two dogs last week when the German Shepherd bit his right leg and refused to release its grip.

Pennant said he was trying to protect his dog, King, when the attack occurred, leaving him on the ground with the animal still attached to his leg.

He explained that King eventually intervened, helping to drive the attacking dog away and prevent the situation from becoming more serious.

“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,” Pennant said.

Speaking to The Sun, the former footballer disclosed that he sustained four bite wounds and required more than 50 stitches after receiving treatment at a hospital.

Although King also suffered a small bite, Pennant said his dog was otherwise unharmed.

He recalled that he initially feared for King’s safety when he noticed blood covering the animal, only to realise that the blood was not his dog’s.

Pennant later shared a photograph on Instagram showing his injured leg wrapped in bandages, with King beside him on a sofa. He described the dog as his “hero” and thanked his partner, Mimmi Montgomery, for taking care of them both.

The former footballer also disclosed that he had decided not to report the incident to the police. He did not provide further details about the German Shepherd or its owner.

Pennant enjoyed a 19-year professional football career before retiring in 2018. He made 231 Premier League appearances and played for several clubs, including Liverpool and Stoke City.

He joined Arsenal from Notts County in 1999 for £2.5 million at the age of 15, becoming the most expensive trainee in English football at the time.

Following his retirement, Pennant moved into football punditry and has worked with TalkSPORT.