A MAN whose bulldogs allegedly savaged a fellow dog owner near Durham has been released on police bail.

Breeder Stephen Potts, whose arm was ripped off less than a month ago in an attack by his own dogs, has been questioned by police and released on bail pending further inquiries.

At about 1pm on Tuesday police were called to reports of five American bulldogs attacking a man on fields in an area between Pittington and Belmont known locally as ‘The Scrambles’.

Police responded and the dogs were quickly secured and taken to kennels where they remain.

Mr Potts, a 48-year-old from Pittington, was arrested at the scene for failing to keep his dogs under proper control.

He was questioned by police at Durham City police station yesterday afternoon and has now been released on bail, until late November, pending further enquiries.

The injured man, a 63-year-old from Belmont, was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Durham where he remains with serious non-life threatening injuries to his head and leg.

Police believe the incident unfolded when Mr Potts was walking his five American bulldogs with his friend, a woman in her late 60s, from Sedgefield.

At the same time, the 63-year-old man was walking his Staffordshire bull terrier in the same area when the dogs began fighting with one another.

The owner of the Staffordshire bull terrier intervened and was bitten by the dogs. The woman from Sedgefield was also bitten on the leg but did not require hospital treatment.

Initial reports suggested a third person had also been injured but police confirmed today that this was not the case.

The Staffordshire bull terrier was seriously injured in the incident and remains in the care of a local vet.

Neighbourhood Chief Inspector for Durham Andy Huddleston said: “I can confirm that the 48 year old man owns 14 American bulldogs in total and although only five were involved in this incident all 14 have been taken to local kennels as a safety precaution.

“This is an ongoing investigation and my officers will be in the local area speaking with people as we work to establish exactly what happened yesterday.”

He added: "After the events of yesterday clearly questions are being asked about this man’s ability to control his animals and this will form part of our investigation.

“The dogs are legally held in that they are not categorised as dangerous dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

“However under new legislation introduced only this week, new options are available including a local authority public space protection order.

“I would like to reassure people that all available options will be considered.”

Anyone with information can contact Durham Police on 101.