Knifeman slashed dog walker and held pet by throat
ADAD has recounted the moment a crazed knifeman threatened to slit his dog’s throat before slashing him in the face in the woods.
Paul Norton, 42, kung-fu kicked and punched his attacker in a desperate attempt to save his pet.
However he himself suffered knife wounds to his face and arm and has had to undergo a coronavirus test after the thug spat at him in the unprovoked attack.
Police have now launched an urgent manhunt to try and find the culprit and increased patrols in the area.
Dad-of-three Paul, who lives nearby in Reddish, was out walking his 16 month old Manchester Terrier called Jess in Reddish Vale Country Park on Sunday afternoon when he heard her yelping behind some trees off a dirt path.
He says when he went to see what was going on, a “scruffy looking” man who was around six feet tall and who he believes may have been under the influence of drugs, had hold of the small pup by her neck.
When he challenged him on what he was doing he pulled out a folding knife and said “I’m going to cut your dog and I am going to cut your throat,” Paul says.
“It just came out of nowhere” he said.
“He had her strung up by the skin on her neck.
“He just had a blank expression but bulging eyes. I reckon he was off his head on something.
“I thought he was going to cut to her pieces so my only thought was to get her off him.
“I used to do a bit of kick boxing so I kicked him in the chest and he dropped the dog but he started swinging and lunging at me with the knife.
“I’ve put my arm up and he caught me on my wrist, thankfully not on the side where my veins are.
“Then he swung from the other side and caught me on the face. I could feel the blood trickling down.
“At this point the dog was going mad, running around my ankles barking not knowing what was going on.
“I managed to crack him on the forehead but he just stood there, and didn’t move. He spat all over me after that.
“I managed to throw the dog down the path and I jogged away and kept an eye him to make sure he wasn’t following me.
“The whole thing probably only lasted about 40 seconds in total and I think I was just acting on instinct really.”
Landscape gardener Paul was then able to call his wife who rushed to his aid with two of his kids and also alerted the emergency services.
He was attended to by paramedics at the scene who dressed the wounds on his arms and face. However, he says thankfully they are mostly “superficial” and he did not need hospital treatment.
“They were here straight away, they were great,” he said.
“There were about 15 police officers searching the vale. They chased one guy but they said he didn’t match the description anyway.
“It’s pretty worrying though and they need to get him. My kids play down there, my wife runs down there.
“There were loads and loads of people about, all socially distanced, but enjoying the outdoors. I’d stopped and spoke to a few, elderly people and couples.
“I don’t know whether he was trying to pinch my dog.
“Jess doesn’t normally go up to people unless they’ve got treats or something, so I reckon he may have had something to tempt her.
“Maybe he didn’t know I was there and he’s panicked when I’ve confronted him.
“It hasn’t really hit me what’s happened yet, maybe it will later.”
As he was spat at, Paul went for a coronavirus test and was awaiting the results. He said the thought of catching the virus was another worry.
Police put out an appeal for potential witnesses, or anyone with information about the incident at around 2.45pm on Sunday afternoon, May 24, to come forward.
The man was said to be 6ft tall and of a small build with short mousey-brown hair.
At the time of the incident, he was wearing dark clothing and is described as being “unkempt.”
Detective Sergeant Lee Attenborough, of GMP’s Stockport district, said: “This was an unprovoked attack which could have had serious consequences.
“Thankfully, the victim’s injuries were minor and the dog was unharmed.
“I understand that incidents of this nature are a cause for concern but I would like to use this opportunity to reassure members of the public that enquiries are ongoing and officers are carrying out extra patrols.
“We are aware that there were several members of the public in the area at the time who witnessed the incident and aftermath. I appeal to them or anyone else with information which may assist us to get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 9616 or 0161 856 9790 quoting 1574 of 24/05/20 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.