THE man savaged by a pit-bull type dog which had to be shot dead in the street has been told he will not lose his badly damaged hand.

Witnesses at the scene described seeing Brian Cooper dragged down a street by his hand which was left "dangling by a thread".

The 46-year-old was attacked by the animal, after taking it for a walk near his home in Blackburn, at the weekend.

Detectives investigating the incident are looking to track down the owner of the dog, and interviewed Mr Cooper in hospital on Monday.

Armed police shot dead the dog after witnesses said the animal, which was not an illegal dog, "went wild" and clamped its jaws around his hand, dragging him for around 10 metres.

Mr Cooper, of St Margaret's Way, has undergone surgery at Royal Preston Hospital and remains there undergoing treatment.

It is not clear yet whether there will be lasting damage to his hand.

Detective Inspector Pete Simm said: "He certainly won't lose his hand. He's had surgery for which he had to go into theatre to repair the injuries.

"We will now look to see whether it's going to be in the public interest to prosecute the owner."

When ambulance crews arrived after the incident the dog was still roaming the streets and it was showing "aggressive behaviour."

Officers said they had no choice but to shoot the dog in Cherry Street, off Audley Range, Blackburn, shortly after 11pm on Saturday, for the public's safety.

Police said Mr Cooper was looking after the dog for friends and was taking it for an evening walk when he was attacked.

Speaking at the time of the incident Insp Simon Atkinson said police managed to "corner" the dog into a garden, but it continued to be aggressive and officers could not get it under control.

Police said officers gave "careful consideration" to dealing with the dog as hum-anely as possible, but the situation was so serious they had to take immediate action.