Hunt is on to find the face bite dog

Witnesses gasped in horror as the dog - an Alsatian - tore into the lips and gums of the victim as he bent down to retrieve a plastic bag.

The incident occurred around 9.30am on Saturday morning as hundreds of shoppers and bargain hunters crowded into the 'car boot sale' section of the popular market.

The victim, a retired man from the Cloughmills area who was a market 'regular', told Ballymena dog warden Nigel Devine (pictured) that the attack was totally unprovoked.

Traumatised

"The man is obviously traumatised and in great pain, but he was able to tell me that the dog bit into his face and began to rip at his lips and gums.

"This is obviously a dangerous animal and we are calling on anyone who saw the incident or who may know the name of the owner to get in contact with us right away.

"Quite simply, this could just as easily have been a small child," he said.

Mr. Devine said information had been received that the first name of the dog's owner was 'Stephen'.

Now, he is calling on the animal's owner to come forward voluntarily.

"This is a very serious issue but the primary concern here is public safety. We need to find the dog, pure and simple," he added.

Mr. Devine said the victim managed to wrestle free from the animal which ran off.

"People in the market were able to give this man towels with which to wrap up his wounds and he somehow managed to get to Dalriada Doctor on Call.

"From there he was immediately transferred t0 A & E at Antrim Area Hospital. He received further treatment at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald where he will have to undergo facial reconstruction surgery."

Mr. Devine )can be contacted on 25660373.