Witnesses say 'spooked' American bulldogs attacked their owner after hearing fireworks, almost tearing off his arm.

Neighbors and bystanders immediately sprang into action after noticing a 47-year-old being mauled by his two American bulldogs on Sunday evening while he was taking them for a walk in a community in High Pittington, Durham.

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Armed with golf clubs, garden tools and umbrellas, the residents tried to stop the attacking dogs from further hurting their owner while two passing drivers even tried ramming the dogs with their cars in order to put a stop to the mauling.

Alison Metcalf, one of neighbors who saw the incident, claimed that she heard fireworks go off and believes that this may have triggered the canines to turn on their owner.

"I thought I heard somebody shout 'help me' but I couldn't be certain, then I heard my husband come flying in, he threw our own dog through the front door, and said 'there's a man on the ground'," she stated.

She also noted how the victim was lucky to have been 'a big guy,' which increased his chances of surviving the attack.

Another witness noted how determined the dogs were at 'ripping the owner into bits' and 'dragging him around' despite attempts of other residents to stop them.

After the dogs lost interest in their victim and ran off, residents in Priors Grange feared for their safety.

The search for the violent creatures, involving several armed officers and a police helicopter, was finally concluded after one of the dogs was shot dead while the other was captured.

The captured dog has been taken to a kennel while a decision is made regarding his fate.

Meanwhile, their severely wounded owner was rushed via ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle and had been declared out of danger despite his serious injuries.

TagsAmerican bulldog, attack, owner, dogs attack owner, bulldog attack, mauling, fireworks, durham, dog attack