Police make arrest following savage assault

A man is severely injured in hospital after being attacked in the Wendell Park area with a meat cleaver and two dogs.

He was walking along Jeddo Road, W12 at around 8.30pm on Tuesday 18th April when he came across two men walking dogs - a small black Staffordshire and a large Great Dane. As the victim was walking past the dogs began nibbling at his footwear and trousers - the dogs were not on a lead or collar. He shouted to the men to put their dogs on a lead. A brief argument ensued, the victim was followed by the suspects into Kinnear Road where both dogs were incited to attack him.

One of the suspects then produced a meat cleaver and together with both the dogs attacked the victim who sustained severe injuries including two blows to the head causing deep wounds requiring several stitches, three fingers were severed, two of which have had to be amputated. His left arm was almost severed at the elbow and there were several cleaver wounds to the rear of his legs resulting in severe tendon damage to his legs and elbow.

The man managed to enter a garden and bang on the front window of a house in an attempt to summon help. He was taken to a hospital where he has undergone extensive surgery and remains in a stable condition.

Both suspects made off in an unknown direction. Early Saturday morning officers from the Hammersmith and Fulham Crime Operations Group attended an address in the Shepherd's Bush area and arrested a 23 year old man in connection with the investigation into the incident which the police are treating as attempted murder. The man has since been bailed.

DC John Stewart of Hammersmith CID, the officer investigating, said, "This was a truly deplorable attack on the victim which was completely uncalled for. He is very lucky to be alive and although his injuries are horrific I fear they could have been a lot worse."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to is asked to contact Hammersmith CID on 020 8246 2505 - if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.