A COMMUNITY has spoken of its outrage after a man who had his arm ripped off by his own dogs found himself at the centre of another incident involving his animals.

Days after being discharged from hospital having had his right arm amputated, residents were horrified to see the dog breeder Stephen Potts walking several American bulldogs.

And their worst fears were realised when three people were hurt – one seriously – in fields between Low Pittington and Belmont in Durham City.

Responding to calls from concerned residents, The Northern Echo went to investigate and arrived at Low Pittington to witness the unfolding drama as Stephen Potts was arrested, at about 2pm.

Durham County Council neighbourhood wardens converged on a field just outside the village as woman emerged with an American bulldog on a leash.

Several police patrol cars arrived soon after and wardens made their way to Mr Potts, who waited several hundred yards in a field with one of his dogs. He was led away and arrested.

The drama began an hour earlier when Mr Potts, who was walking up to six American bulldogs, encountered a 63-year-old man who was walking a Staffordshire bull terrier – and the dogs started fighting.

Neighbourhood Chief Inspector for Durham, Andy Huddleston said: “It is unclear at the moment exactly how things have started but it has resulted in the owner of the Staffordshire bull terrier suffering serious injuries to his head and calf. He was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham (UHND) for treatment.

“A woman was also injured with bites to her hand.

“Immediately after the incident a local woman walking nearby was injured by one of the dogs – we are not sure by whose. She was also taken to UHND, where she is being treated for injuries to her leg.”

Chief Insp Huddleston added: “Five or six dogs have been taken away. We believe the man has 14 dogs altogether and they will all be removed.

“A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of allowing his dogs to be out of control.”

Linda Parkin, 64, of Belmont, who witnessed the immediate aftermath, said: “I was walking along a path between Belmont and Low Pittington (near the Scrambles) when I saw two men coming toward me supporting a third man, who had been injured.

“He had blood all over his head and face and appeared dazed. The men who were with him were screaming 'you want to go back. This man has been attacked by two dogs'.

“When they told me it was the same guy who had his arm ripped off by his own dogs a month ago I couldn’t believe it.”

Mrs Parkin added: “I think it’s a disgrace. This man’s just gone home and taken his dogs out again for a walk and they have just savaged this bloke.

“When he lost his arm I said my husband at the time 'if those two dogs have attacked him the other ones will do the same'.

“I don’t know how anyone could keep those dogs when they did what they did to him – and to have allowed him to take the dogs out as well.”

On Sunday, September 21, neighbours in nearby High Pittington were alerted by screams to the attack on Mr Potts.

The emerged from their homes to see Mr Potts being dragged along the ground and “ripped to bits” by his powerful dogs.

Mr Potts had been walking two of his American bulldogs down Priors Grange when – apparently startled by fireworks - the dogs turned on him.

Eye-witness Alison Metcalf said: ““The dogs had turned o their owner and they were dragging him around the road. They were ripping his clothes off him and just biting him.”

She added: “They didn’t appear to be aggressive. They were wagging their tails.

“He sustained dreadful injuries that quite frankly a child or woman of a slighter build would never have survived.

“He had horrendous arm injuries, facial injuries and leg a injury.

Mr Potts was taken to the Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, where his right arm was amputated.

A day before the latest incident his father Geoffrey Potts said: “He is doing fine, he came out of hospital and is recovering very well.

“He lost his right arm, he is coping very well, better than I though he would have done.

“He’s back on his feet and just seems fine.”

To the shock of residents in Low Pittington Mr Potts was seen walking several dogs at a time, just days after his discharge.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I saw him with four dogs in Low Pittington on Saturday (October 19). I was horrified.

“I cannot believe how a man, who got attacked by two dogs, feels he is control of four dogs with only one arm.

“This is exactly what I said was going to happen. It’s baffling that he could have been allowed to keep his dogs.

“I contacted the police to draw it to their attention, but was told there was nothing they could do as he was not breaking the law.”

Chief Supt Huddleston said: “They are not categorised as dangerous dogs.

“In terms of the incident that occurred on September 21 officers looked at his control of his dogs at that time and everything within the law we could act on was considered.

“But there was certainly nothing that we could lawfully do to remove those dogs. And equally they are not classified as dangerous dogs and for that reason there was no further action taken by the police at that time.”

He added: “What I would say is that as of yesterday new anti-social behaviour legislation allows us to consider public space protection orders and this is something we are exploring as a result of this incident.

“And that is the reason why, also, the operational commander has taken the decision to have all of the dogs removed. at this moment while we consider that to make sure there is a clear message to the public that we will make sure it is a safe placer.