Amateur MMA Fighter Survives Horrific XL Bully Attack in Peacehaven Garden
A 21-year-old amateur mixed martial arts fighter has described how he survived a terrifying 20-minute mauling by a supersized XL Bully dog, crediting his combat training for what he calls a "miraculous" escape from death. Joseph Bennett was looking after the 65kg dog, named Hunter, for a friend at his former home in Peacehaven, East Sussex, when the animal's muzzle fell off during a playful kick-about with an old football.
The Sudden and Savage Attack
Mr Bennett recounted how the situation turned deadly in an instant. "It was so fast he changed in the blink of an eye and wanted to kill me," he said. As the XL Bully launched its assault, Bennett dropped his phone and instinctively raised his arm to protect his neck and face. The powerful dog clamped its jaws on his limb, tearing out his bicep and throwing him around "like a rag-doll" according to his vivid description.
The young fighter was repeatedly bitten as the animal raked his chest and shoulders with its teeth and claws. He explained his survival strategy: "I knew if it got my throat I was a goner. So every time he lunged for my throat I just sacrificed every other body part to stay alive." Bennett managed to trap the dog's head between his legs on several occasions, but the animal's strength proved too much.
Critical Intervention and Severe Injuries
Just as Bennett was losing consciousness from blood loss and exhaustion, his sister and brother-in-law arrived at the scene. Alerted by his parents who had heard his screams during a phone call, they dragged him to safety and locked the dog outside. He was rushed to Brighton's Royal Sussex County Hospital where he underwent the first of three operations to reattach his bicep and blood vessels, with surgeons working to stitch up his shredded arms, shoulders and chest.
The aftermath has been life-changing for the former computer game art student. He spent months undergoing skin grafts and rehabilitation, and continues to suffer from nightmares, panic attacks and flashbacks. "I have to do things more slowly," Bennett admitted. "I can no longer draw the same now due to my damaged arm so my dream career as a video game artist is over which makes me sad." He has also had to give up rugby, MMA sessions and playing guitar.
MMA Training Credited for Survival
Bennett firmly believes his amateur MMA training made the crucial difference. "I was really fit and enjoyed doing grappling for fun with my friends at gyms with MMA equipment and those skills probably saved my life," he stated. The fighter treated the encounter like a combat situation, drawing on his martial arts knowledge to defend himself against the powerful animal.
He reflected: "I just went into survival mode and my MMA training kicked in. You don't have to be big just know what to do. I treated it like a fight." Bennett doesn't blame the dog for the attack, noting "it was just doing what it was bred for" and that he had known Hunter for a year without previously seeing any violent behaviour.
Aftermath and Legal Action
Following the attack, Hunter escaped the garden and bit a police officer before being seized and destroyed by authorities. Sussex Police confirmed both attacks and the dog's destruction. Bennett, who has since moved to Seaford, is now taking legal action over the incident and studying online for a potential career change to cyber security.
Associate Solicitor Victoria Collins of njurylawyers4u, who is supporting Bennett's claim, said: "These injuries are totally horrific and life changing. Joseph had his whole life ahead of him and a future career in video games and now that has gone. People need to think twice before bringing dangerous dogs into their homes as pets."
Bennett offers stark advice to others: "Be prepared to sacrifice your other body parts to stay alive. Hunter turned in a second and if I hadn't sacrificed my arm repeatedly, I would have been a goner. Anyone could be attacked by these dogs in their homes if they are an owner or friend or a stranger on the street. You need to be prepared in case the worst happens."
The survivor concluded with sober reflection: "It's a miracle that I am here today though, I am lucky to survive. I should be dead." His experience highlights both the devastating potential of such attacks and the remarkable resilience that can emerge in life-threatening situations.
