UPDATE: |Dog shot dead by armed officers after attacking man News

The man has been left with “life-changing” injuries

A dog has been shot dead by armed police after attacking a man in his 50s- leaving him with “significant injuries”.

The incident occurred shortly after 10pm on Friday April 4, resulting in huge emergency services presence in Knott End-on-Sea, Lancashire.

Despite numerous attempts to free the victim, the attack had been “occurring for a sustained period of time”, resulting in the man sustaining “life-changing” injuries to his head, neck and body.

Lancashire Constabulary said that he was rushed to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment, with the injuries not being “life threatening”.

After the dog ran at the officers, the force said they made the difficult decision to shoot the dog at the scene as they were “aware of the serious injuries already sustained by the victim and with concerns for the immediate safety of the officers”.

No other injuries were reported and a 40-year-old man from the area was arrested for owning a dangerously out of control dog and bailed pending further enquiries.

In a statement, a force spokesperson told LancsLive: “We were called to Lyme Grove, Knott End-on-Sea, at 10.06pm on April 4, following reports that a man was being attacked by a large, aggressive dog and he had suffered significant injuries to his head and neck.

“It was also reported that the attack had been occurring for a sustained period of time, in spite of numerous attempts by members of the public to intervene and free the victim.

“Officers, including armed response colleagues, attended and found a man in his 50s with a number of serious injuries to his head, neck and body.

“He has been taken to Royal Preston Hospital and although life-changing, his injuries are not now thought to be life-threatening.

“Following a search of the area, the dog was located outside a property in Lancaster Close and it immediately ran at the officers in attendance.

“Aware of the serious injuries already sustained by the victim and with concerns for the immediate safety of the officers, the difficult decision was taken for armed officers to shoot the dog at the scene.

“There are no reports of further injuries to members of the public at this time.

“A 40-year-old man from Knott End-on-Sea was arrested on suspicion of being the owner of a dangerously out of control dog and has now been bailed pending further enquiries.

“Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting log 1587 of April 4, 2025.”