A vicious dog which left a man seriously injured in Sheepridge had previously been seized as a “dangerous” breed.

The dog – called Alex – was described by a neighbour as a Staffy-Labrador cross.

But it had previously been seized by police on suspicion it was a banned pit bull terrier.

West Yorkshire Police said the animal had been examined and was given the all-clear.

The animal was seized on June 22 and was only returned to its owner last Wednesday.

The dog, usually chained up in a pen outside the owner’s flat in Riddings Road, Sheepridge, somehow got free and attacked a neighbour.

The dog was said to have bitten the victim, a man in his 50s, on the arm, leg and head.

He lost a great deal of blood and was rushed to hospital where he was in a “serious” condition.

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It is believed the man was trying to save his own small terrier from being attacked and was savaged in the doorway to his own home.

Neighbours told the Examiner the dog had bitten them and attacked other dogs.

Scene of dog attack on Riddings Road in Sheepridge

Neighbour John Day said Alex had only just returned home. “She had been behaving herself,” he said. “She was a bit barky but what dogs aren’t?

“She was fine until she did this.”

Another neighbour, who does not wish to be named, said the owner wasn’t to blame and added: “The police had the dog for two months. He has just got it back. It wasn’t a vicious dog but what’s happened to it while it’s been away?”

Another neighbour said he been bitten and was now wary around the dog.

Neighbours reported seeing a marksman with a rifle when Alex was seized. She was driven off in an unmarked van.

A man believed to be the owner was arrested.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police seized this animal on June 22 on suspicion it was a banned pit bull terrier breed.

“Following a screening it was determined the animal while a type of bull terrier, did not have enough pit bull characteristics to be held by authorities as a banned breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

“It was subsequently returned to its owner on August 10.”

It is not known what will happen to the dog now.