A MAN is fighting for his life following a horrific dog attack at his flat yesterday afternoon.

Armed police were called to Yewdale Gardens in Breightmet after a shocked neighbour raised the alarm after hearing screaming coming from the garden.

It is understood the dog turned on its owner and left him with devastating injuries to his face and arm.

The dog, thought to be a bull terrier-type breed, launched a prolonged attack and only let go of his owner after a neighbour threw a tennis ball.

The community say they are in shock and praying the man pulls through after the attack A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Officers were called to Yewdale Gardens, Bolton, at about 1.20pm on Thursday to reports a man was being attacked by a dog.

“NWAS and an air ambulance attended and a 50-year-old man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries to his arm and face.

“Enquiries are ongoing. The dog has been secured.”

Police set up a large cordon in the area, which was relaxed just after 3pm.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said they sent an ambulance, advanced paramedic vehicle and an air ambulance.

Neighbours say a dog warden was at the flat when the dog suddenly turned.

Sammy-Lin Lancelot called the emergency services and put a blanket on the victim.

She said: "We heard screaming and saw the dog, a bull terrier-type dog, drag him. My partner stayed with him, kept him talking. He was conscious, just about.

“He was a mess, he had puncture wounds everywhere “My partner chucked a tennis ball and that’s when the dog got off him. He has had the dog for two weeks.

“The dog had bit him and he actually called the dog warden himself.

“The dog warden was there and the dog just just turned evil. It was awful, I’m strong but it was horrible. He was in a really bad way.”

“I’m just glad I was in and able to call the police and ambulance.”

Sammy-Lin added: “I hope he is going to be okay, he is a really nice man. We moved in August and he has been here for about six years.”

Neighbour Alleyne Colbalt said: ‘I was out shopping and I came back, I could not get back in my house, there was police everywhere.”

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "Our Dog Control Unit attended the incident and is offering support to the police response."