Dog bites soccer player

He needed several stitches in his left leg.

The owner was advised by a vet to have the dog put down as a result of the attack and did so.

Mr Sands, 34, said: "I was warming up for last Sunday's match and went to fetch some footballs.

"The next thing, I saw the dog jumping over a ditch and running towards me, then it grabbed the back of my left leg.

"I think the dog was probably attracted to the footballs.

"The bite went into the muscle and a couple of the wounds needed stitches.

"I had to have a tetanus jab and lost an evening's work as a result."

Last Sunday's attack happened before Essenden's match with Churchfields Athletic - which they won 4-2.

Sgt Jason Tuck, of Hastings police, said the Alsatian's owner was traced and council dog wardens informed of the incident.