Lambeth Council worker attacked by dog in Streatham Hill (From This Is Local London)

Lambeth Council worker attacked by dog in Streatham Hill

6:40am Wednesday 25th November 2009 in

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A council worker had a chunk of flesh bitten out of his leg when a dog attacked him in Streatham Hill.

Witnesses said the Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog chewed the flesh after he had bitten it from 50-year-old Larry Awobayiku’s leg in Keymer Road last Tuesday.

Mr Awobayiku, a manager at Streatham housing office, was in the area with colleagues assessing work to be done in an upcoming clean-up of the area when the attack occurred at 10.30am.

The agitated dog had been barking loudly inside a white van before it scrambled out.

Although it was on an extendable lead, it ran up to Mr Awoynayiku and bit him on the right leg.

Streatham councillor Julian Heather said other staff who had witnessed the attack described it as “horrific”.

He said: “Apparently the dog sunk in its teeth and did not let go.”

He added: “It highlights the growing problem we are seeing with people not being able to control their dogs. As we have seen here dogs can be dangerous and we need to do more to stop this kind of attack occurring.”

Lambeth police were called to the scene, and attended along with London Ambulance Service and the Met’s dog unit.

Mr Awobayiku was taken to St George's Hospital, where he was operated on on Wednesday.

It is understood he needed a skin graft and was discharged before the weekend.

The dog was seized and a 51-year-old woman is expected before the courts.

Cabinet member for housing and regeneration, Councillor Lib Peck, said the attack was "terrible" and sent her best wishes to Mr Awoynayiku, and wished him a speedy recovery.

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