A TEENAGER has told of the horrifying moment a vicious “devil dog” attacked him just after he left church.

Gavin Mungersdorf, 17, was repeatedly bitten on the foot by a Staffordshire bull terrier in an apparently random attack.

He was walking home from church with a friend when the dog attacked him just before 1pm on Sunday.

It repeatedly bit his left foot despite its owner attempting to call it back but not intervening.

Mr Mungersdorf, from Livingston, West Lothian, has been forced to walk with crutches due to his injuries.

Te said: He said: “I was walking home from church and didn’t even realise the dog was there until bit me. It was just a totally random attack.

“The owner was only about 20 yards away but he didn’t say anything. He just called the dog back.

“The dog ran up and started biting me again though, I was in a lot of pain. It was like one of those big devil dogs you hear about.

“When it eventually left me I shouted to the owner that he should put his dog on a leash. He just said ‘no’ and walked off.”

Mr Mungersdorf was left with deep cuts to his foot and leg, and the inside of his shoe was left soaked in his blood.

And he is still finding it difficult to walk.

He said: “My mum let me borrow crutches as at first it was a bit of a struggle to walk. I’m able to walk with one crutch now but it’s painful.”

His mother Bridget thanked the staff at the nearby Almond West service station who helped Gavin,  but she expressed fears for children in the area.

She added: “He got help from staff at a local garage. They have offered to allow us and the police to look at the CCTV to see if we can see the owner.

“The owner didn’t even care about what his dog did to Gavin, he just walked off.

“It’s obviously a very dangerous dog and you just fear the worst for any children that live in that area.”

Police said the dog was a black Staffordshire bull terrier and the owner was wearing a blue hooded top with a black top and grey jogging bottoms.

Constable James Addison of Broxburn police said: “Thankfully, the injuries weren’t too serious, but it was still frightening for him.

“Anyone who might have witnessed this, or perhaps recognises the description of the dog or its owner, is asked to contact us.”“I’d like to stress how important it is to keep your dog on a lead and under control at all times.”