A man was bitten on the knee by a dog after intervening to stop it attacking another dog outside a supermarket.

Police have launched an investigation after reports that the animal, believed to be a Staffie, attacked another dog in Shirley Precinct just after 2pm on Wednesday.

Members of the public attempted to intervene and stop the attack, resulting in one man being bitten on the knee.

He did not receive serious injuries.

One person who witnessed the incident said it was “distressing,” and that people were screaming as they tried to save a black Spaniel.

Speaking to the Echo, the witness said: “It happened directly between Shirley Library and Sainsbury's.

“It was very distressing to see the Spaniel covered in blood, being dragged by its neck, in the jaws of what I assumed was a Staffie. Plenty of people were screaming as we tried to rescue the Spaniel.

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“With my knee I pinned the Staffie’s head to the ground, while a heroic older lady and a group of people around us beat and punched the dog until we managed to get the Staffie to release its grip and separate the dogs only for the Staffie to try and attack the Spaniel again.

“I had to kick the Staffie just as a brave woman managed to pick up the Spaniel and run into the library.

“I’m not sure what condition the poor dog was in but I can only imagine it was as petrified as I was. It was a frightening experience.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “We were called at 2.12pm on Wednesday, December 18, with reports of a dog attacking another dog outside Sainsbury’s in Shirley.

“Members of the public tried to intervene, and a man was bitten on the knee by a dog in the process. He was not seriously injured. Enquiries are ongoing.”