A PCSO has been honoured for his bravery after helping a man who was being savaged by a dangerous dog.

Stewart McKenna, who works for British Transport Police, was off duty when he saw a man being attacked by an American Pit Bull Terrier, which was roaming freely in Great Queen Street, Dartford.

The dog had been pinned down for around 20 minutes by the victim, who had sustained serious injuries to his arms and hands.

Exhausted, he let go of the dog which then attacked him again.

PCSO McKenna got out of his car and dialled 999 before placing himself between the man and the dog.

He said: "The dog was savaging him. I just couldn't let it rip him to pieces.

"I had my own dog's chain in my pocket. I managed to get it around its mouth but all it did was knock it off its nose."

The 30-year-old managed to restrain the animal for more than thirty minutes before losing his grip.

He told News Shopper: "The dog managed to get free. I had no option but to start running.

"I tried to jump over a wall but it got hold of my calf and foot, ripping my trainers off and ripping my jeans."

When officers arrived at the scene they tasered the dog three times but with little effect.

It continued to bite PCSO McKenna, who was also in pain from the shock of the tasers.

He said: "In the back of my mind I thought 'I can’t believe this is happening to me’.

"Adrenaline more than anything got me through it."

He added: "I got to my feet and it was shaking me around like a little rag doll. I was screaming and thought 'there's no way its getting my face'.

"It let go so I punched it and pinned it down."

Officers took the dog away, which was later ordered to be put down.

PCSO McKenna suffered 14 puncture wounds to his hands, legs, feet, thigh and calf.

He spent two months off work and required antibiotics and painkillers.

On October 14 he was awarded a Chief Constable’s Commendation by BTP Chief Constable Andrew Trotter.

In June the dog's owner, Neil Sookoo, 35, of Kirby Road, Dartford, was jailed for five months after admitting having a dog dangerously out of control.