A terrified taxi driver feared he would die as he was savaged by two dogs at a petrol station forecourt.
Amir Hijazi had just finished filling up his car at a garage in Aberdeen when the animals attacked.
The 31-year-old, who lives in the Pittodrie area of the city, was about to pay for his fuel when he passed a woman who had two pitbull-type dogs with her.
One of the dogs suddenly lunged at him and started biting his foot and when he tried to push it away the other dog leapt on his chest and knocked him over.
Mr Hijazi said: “It was literally on my face, I just tried to avoid him by pushing him away with my right hand.
“The owner was trying to pull them away but couldn’t, there was nobody to help me – at that moment I felt like I was going to die.
“At that point, these two guys came out from the shop and dragged the dogs off.”
Mr Hijazi claims that instead of helping him by calling for an ambulance, the woman and both men then aimed at tirade of abuse at him.
He then realised the full extent of his injuries.
“I took my shoe off and it was full of blood, and my foot was covered,” he said.
“I was wearing quite high boots and it still managed to bite right through them.”
Mr Hijazi went to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after the attack at the Torq station in Great Northern Road and was told by medics he may have fractured his wrist.
He has not been able to work since the incident and will have to go back to hospital for X-rays and further treatment.
And he admitted he was still shaken by his ordeal.
He said: “I’m a very dog-friendly person, I did not have any clue that this was going to happen.
“I just worry that these people are still out there and they can’t control their dogs.”
Mr Hijazi has contacted the police but has not been given an opportunity to give a formal statement yet.
Police said they had previously made efforts to contact Mr Hijazi and were now making arrangements to take his statement.
A spokeswoman for the force said: “Police have been made aware of an incident in the early hours of Saturday morning at Great Northern Road in Aberdeen, and inquiries into the matter are ongoing.
“Efforts have been made by officers to make contact with the complainer and arrangements are currently being made to take a formal statement from the complainer.
Last night, the Scottish SPCA said it was vital dog owners kept their animals under control.
The charity’s chief superintendent Mike Flynn said, “We are sorry to hear of this incident which must have been extremely distressing for the person involved.
“It is ultimately the responsibility of the owner to ensure their pet is kept under control at all times.
“Anyone with an animal that shows aggression towards another animal or person has a responsibility to rectify this problem immediately through training or veterinary advice.”
Police have urged anyone with information to contact them on 101.
