An American XL Pitbull has been destroyed by police after it attacked a North East man, leaving him with serious injuries.

Emergency services were called to an address in Thornton Street, Hartlepool just before midnight on Tuesday (May 23) after reports of concern for someone’s safety.

Officers arrested a 32-year-old man at the property on suspicion of assault and criminal damage, but as they arrested him an American XL Pitbull inside the house attacked him.

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Police say they fought for several minutes to get the dog off the man but were forced to used a taser to free its grip on him.

While the man was being moved to safety the dog ran past officers and out onto the street before heading towards the town centre.

Despite attempting to catch and secure the animal armed officers were called in to destroy it.

Cleveland Police said: “Officers made the decision for the Armed Response Unit to destroy the dog as it was dangerously out of control and posed a serious risk it to the public at that time.”

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The 32-year-old man was taken to hospital at University Hospital North Tees having sustained serious injuries to his limbs and deep bite marks during the attack. His injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

Cleveland Police says it has voluntarily referred the incident to the Independent Office of Police Conduct.

American XL Pitbulls are legal in the UK and aren’t subject to any restrictions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, the Sun reports.