News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A father was viciously attacked by a dog as his wife and three children watched on in horror.

Ashley Wright, 48, had visited Osmaston Park, Derbyshire, with his family and their own dog, when they were approached by to other dogs.

The family's own white boxer was first approached by a Rottweiler and then, what Ashley believed to be, an American Pit bull.

The Pit bull-type dog then reportedly launched an attacked on their dog, before Ashley quickly scooped him into his arms, reports Derbyshire Live .

But Ashley said the dog pounced six foot in the air and attacked him, causing injuries to his neck and face.

Father-of-three Ashley said: "As the pit bull raced towards us I picked my dog up to protect him but then the other dog must have jumped up six foot and attacked me. It all happened so fast.

"It then jumped at my wife and then my eldest daughter then came back to me and put its fangs to my face. My family were screaming and crying.

"I was fuming because I couldn't do anything to protect my family while it was happening."

Ashley's wife Juliette also suffered bruises to her arm and the couple's eldest child, 21-year-old Alisha, grazed her knee during the frightening ordeal.

Ashley added: "I don't want anyone else to go through what we had.

"I feel I am lucky because it mainly happened to me and I can look after myself - I know that's not the point but it could so easily have happened to a young person or someone who was on their own.

"What would have happened then?"

(Image: Getty Images)

"There was one young girl walking towards the park but my wife shouted her not to go further because the dog who attacked us was still on the loose. She would have had no chance if it attacked her.

"I don't know who the owners, they looked like young men.

"It has got to the point where my wife and daughters don't want to come with me anymore to walk the dog because they have been left traumatised by the whole thing."

Derbyshire police confirmed the incident was being investigated.

A spokesman for the force said: "We were called on Tuesday at around 7.55pm following reports of a dog attack at Osmaston Park.

"Officers are investigating at the moment and are keen to talk to the owner of the dog involved in the attack.

"If anyone has any information they should call police on 101 quoting incident number 1388090419."