A 17-year-old Nelson student spent three days in hospital after being savaged by a stray dog.

Muntaqamar Ali was on his way home from work when the Japanese Akita attacked him opposite Nelson Fire Station.

Muntaqamar suffered tears to his hand and wrist, and damage to his knees and chest. He was treated at the scene by an ambulance crew, and later received treatment at both Burnley General Hospital by and the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Muntaqamar, of Reedyford Road, is studying engineering at Nelson and Colne College, but has a part-time job at Home Bargains in Pendle Rise Shopping Centre, Nelson.

He is the son of Mr Safdar Ali and Mrs Sofia Safdar. Mrs Safdar said: "He saw the dog, which was on its own, and it just attacked him. I have always told him that if you run away from a dog it will chase you. But he stood still and it went for him."

Mrs Safdar, who works at Lomeshaye Junior School, Nelson, said: "Since it happened, he has been suffering flashbacks and has lost quite a lot of weight. His own GP has given him tablets to help him sleep. He has had to take time off both college and work."

Mrs Safdar said the dog had been on the streets in that area since the day before and added: "Nobody is going to own up to being its owner now it has bitten someone. Muntaqamar is a really good lad and he doesn't upset anyone. I am just glad the dog didn't get at his face."

And, in a separate incident , the Barrowford owner of a young horse attacked by an out-of-control dog has branded its trespassing owner "irresponsible".

Lynne Farnhill (49) saw yearling Amber being attacked by a black and grey lurcher/bull dog cross on private land near stables at Walverden Reservoir, Nelson.

It is believed the dog's owner may have been poaching with the animal before it went for Amber, distressing her so much she pushed through a barbed wire fence to escape, only to be mauled again on the reservoir path.

She said: "It ripped all her face and made a real mess of her. It chased her up and down the path and had her on the floor at one point. Me and Maureen Hatton, who owns the stables, tried to get it off but it wasn't like a normal dog – it just wouldn't let go when we hit it.

"Amber eventually escaped, got through the barbed wire fence and went off down Brunswick Street followed by the dog. What happened down there I don't know, but we were very lucky it wasn't more serious and there wasn't an accident."

The dog owner, who was 6ft tall and in his 30s, gave a false name and address to the women after the incident, which occurred on Wednesday, September 15th. Inquiries are ongoing by Pennine Police wildlife liaison officer PC Mick Greenwood.