A PENSIONER was left badly injured after he was savaged by a powerful Japanese Akita dog.

The 85-year-old had serious wounds to both arms and was taken to hospital where he underwent a skin graft operation.

He had stroked the dog and was chatting to its owner only moments before it attacked him on the village green at Hurworth, near Darlington.

Residents in the village have expressed concern about the fate of the dog but last night police were unable to say whether it had been destroyed. They confirmed that they received reports of the attack.

Its female owner, who lives in the village, declined to comment yesterday.

The Northern Echo has agreed to keep the victim's identity anonymous at the request of his family.

His son-in-law said the attack came as a shock because he had met the dog a number of times previously and was an animal lover.

The powerful Akita, a breed known to be kept as guard dogs, had been on a lead when it lunged towards the pensioner and sunk its teeth into him.

He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital and the following day was transferred to the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

He underwent treatment to both his arms, including a skin graft on his right arm.

The attack took place at lunchtime on Thursday, May 6, as he took his daily stroll around the village.

Due to his age he has remained in hospital since the attack, but is due home today.

The family are unsure whether the Akita dog, which is the largest of all Japanese breeds, has been destroyed yet, but said it was inevitable.

"I know if it was my dog it would be the saddest thing to have to do, but it does have to be done," said his son-in-law.

The man's 81-year-old wife, who has visited him daily in hospital, said: "If it had been a child that was attacked, it wouldn't have stood a chance."