THE owner of a Rottweiler which attacked a milkman has sparked more fury by defending his dog's actions.

Gareth Lowerson, aged 29, described his pet Max as docile and said the animal was "just doing its job" when it savaged Jack Roberts' hand.

He said: "I'm sorry for what happened, but at the end of the day the dog was doing its job to protect the house. He's normally no problem and doesn't deserve to die for what happened."

Police, who have impounded the Rottweiler, confirmed they would be taking action against the dog owner.

And Mr Roberts, of Ivy Grove, Farnworth, who needed hours of surgery after the attack and faces months off work, slammed Mr Lowerson's version of events.

He told the BEN: "People like him are not fit to own a dog. If doing its job is putting people like me in hospital, then it certainly did a very good job."

Mr Lowerson claimed problems arose when a visitor to his home went outside to buy milk from Mr Roberts, but left the front door open.

"Normally Max would be chained up, but because the door had been left open the dog could roam free in the garden," he said.

When Mr Roberts, aged 64, went to hand change to the man, the Rottweiler pounced, tearing its sharp teeth through his right hand.

Mr Lowerson admitted the two-year-old Rottweiler - bought to frighten off burglars - had previously bitten a dog warden.

But he added that neighbour complaints about the animal concerned its loud barking rather than fear of him attacking anyone.

He also claimed the pet regularly played happily with his four-year-old daughter Danielle.

He said: "I trust Max with my own child. It would be wrong for him to die."

But Mr Roberts, who plans legal action against Mr Lowerson, said the dog was vicious and had to be put down to save others from harm.

He said: "The dog has bitten before and it's only a matter of time before it does it again. Who is going to take responsibility when it kills a child? I love dogs and it gives me no pleasure to see the animal put down, but it has to be done for the sake of others."

Supt Ian McLoughlin confirmed action would be taken against the dog owner for the attack in Campbell Court, Farnworth, on Monday, February 2.

He said: "The matter will be going before the courts as soon as possible and then it will be up to magistrates to decide the appropriate punishment."

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