A RETIRED police officer who was attacked by a dog has been left needing a month’s worth of hospital treatment after his wound became infected.

Paul Pueschel, 65, was walking along Banbury’s High Street at night in early December when a dog suddenly ran out and bit him on the ankle.

The father-of-two, who has been receiving treatment for an infection since the attack, said he is just glad it was not a child on the receiving end of the bite.

He said: “It should never have happened. It could have been a child. I’ll get over it, but if that dog had attacked a child it could have had a serious psychological effect.

“I’m a dog lover, but something like this would have probably given a child a fear of dogs for the rest of their life. They would have found it mentally disturbing.”

Mr Pueschel, a Freemason, had just left a lodge meeting in Banbury and was walking home at about 11.30pm on Thursday, December 8.

As he walked past a group of people, the canine ran up to him and grabbed him around the the ankle, wounding his leg. He described the attack as shocking and extremely painful.

Mr Pueschel said the dog was small but was unable to identify the breed, calling it a ‘Heinz 57’ - a term used to explain unknown mixed breeds.

He said he managed to shake the dog off and spoke to the owner, who acted surprised by her dog’s behaviour but did not offer an apology.

After that he called the police, who arrived promptly and spoke to him and the dog’s owner.

Mr Pueschel, who lives in Broome Way, then went to Horton General Hospital, where he was referred to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington. He is still making regular trips to the JR for treatment to the infection in his ankle now.

The dog’s bite left a hole in Mr Pueschel’s leg about 2cm long and wide, despite not penetrating his trousers and socks.

At one point he was admitted as an inpatient at the JR for four days. His most recent appointment was on Friday, when staff treated and redressed the wound.

The semi-retired freelance chef now wants to share his story and urge dog owners to ensure they are in control - even if their pet seems friendly.

He said: “You may have a playful dog, but it can turn. It may be going out to protect its owner. It doesn’t matter.

“People need to be more responsible and start taking control of their dogs. It’s all very well letting them run around free but owners need to be ready to take control.”

Mr Pueschel, who spent 30 years as a police officer, most of which he spent with Banbury CID, described both the police and hospital staff who have helped him since the incident as ‘first class’.