Brave pensioner hospitalised after saving Labradoodle from Bullmastiff attack in Lytham

A horrified public witnessed the frantic scene unfold in Market Square at around 6pm yesterday (May 26).

According to eye witnesses, an un-muzzled Bullmastiff slipped its harness and brutally attacked the Labradoodle.

The owners of both dogs were unable to separate them as the Mastiff gripped the Labradoodle's leg and refused to let go.

Maarten van der Marel, 76, from Lytham, was one of the brave passersby who rushed to its rescue.

But the terrified, two-year-old Labradoodle, Molly, lashed out at Maarten and began biting his arms and hands.

Staff from Seniors fish and chip shop ran over to help and the Bullmastiff's jaws were eventually prised open to free the ragged and bloody Labradoodle.

North West Ambulance Service attended and Mr van der Marel was taken to hospital for treatment.

A spokesman for NWAS said: "We took a call at 5.58pm yesterday and attended to a patient in Market Square after they sustained serious injuries from a dog."

Police were also called to the scene and the Bullmastiff has been seized.

Maarten's wife, Pauline, described the moment her husband selflessly risked himself to save the helpless dog.

She said: "My animal loving husband was on his way to Seniors for our fish and chip supper when he came across a Mastiff-type dog trying to kill a Labradoodle.

"As both owners weren’t able to separate them and the little dog was in a bad way, what did my brave husband do?

"He waded in with no concern for his own safety and got well and truly bitten for his troubles.

"The poor Labradoodle was so traumatised it didn’t realise my husband was trying to help it.

"Someone must have called an ambulance and as he needed stitches and jabs, they carted him off to Blackpool Vic."

The Labradoodle's owners Janet and Stephen Ellis were also injured and had to attend hospital for treatment.

Mrs Ellis has explained how the events unfolded.

She said: "Myself and my husband were on our way back from walking our dog Molly, a miniature Labradoodle, on Lytham Green.

"As we were going through the square we passed a dog, which looked like a Bullmastiff, that was sat under one of the benches.

"It slipped its harness as we were passing and ran over to Molly and attacked her. It got hold of Molly’s leg and wouldn’t let go.

"We were both bitten by the dog which has resulted in us both having stitches. A few men came to help and one of them was also bitten.

"We managed to free Molly and it took four men to hold the other dog back, one of the men told me to pick Molly up and get away in case the dog got free.

"I took her to Spargo which was open for takeaways and they very kindly let me stand behind the glass enclosure where I felt safe.

"An off duty police officer said she had called the police and they soon arrived.

"I rang Greenways Vets and they said to bring Molly immediately so the police very kindly blue lighted me so we got there quickly.

"Molly stayed at the vets overnight on a drip which gave her constant pain killers. I spoke to the vet this morning and Molly is still on the drip.

"But thankfully she has stood up, so there doesn’t appear to be any damage apart from some very deep wounds which the vet will try and stitch.

"We are both so grateful to all the people who helped us yesterday especially the staff at Spargo, the police officers and the brave men who helped tackle the dog."

Lancashire Police have been approached for comment.