A dog walker in Bolton says he was left with a concussion and other injuries after being attacked by a stranger with a tree branch. Kieran Antoni, 25, was out with his cocker spaniel Oscar in Harper Green Playing Fields in Farnworth on the morning of August 25 when he claims a man attacked him and damaged his car.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Antoni said he had just taken his pet out of his car and was walking into the park when a stranger on his way out of the playing fields confronted him. The man accused him of being someone who had told him he wasn't welcome at the park before hitting him on the left side of his head from behind, knocking him unconscious.
Attack details
Antoni said: "Every morning I take my dog out to the local field near me like I have been doing for 12 years. I've never had an issue until yesterday." He described seeing a man walking towards him, and because the man's dog looked aggressive, he walked away. The man then said 'I think I know you don't I?', but Antoni replied 'no mate, sorry' before being hit multiple times with the branch.
Antoni believes the man mistook him for someone else, as the attacker claimed Antoni had told him a few weeks ago to get off the field and that he wasn't welcome. Antoni said he had been on holiday and tried to explain, but the man wasn't listening. He added: "Apparently he's a regular who goes onto the field and always causes trouble with people and his dog causes trouble with other dogs."
Aftermath and concerns
Antoni was hit 'multiple times' on the left side of his head and fell to the floor unconscious. When he woke up, he found the man had taken his phone and smashed his car's wing mirror. He chased the alleged attacker in his car, and the man only threw back his phone when he realised he couldn't get away.
Antoni said: "When I woke back up, his dog was attacking my dog and he stole my phone and smashed my wing mirror up. As he walked off, he said 'thanks for this, I'll be selling this'." He also mentioned a witness who reached out to him, saying the noise she heard was terrifying and stuck with her all day.
Antoni shared his story out of concern for others in the area, noting that if the victim had been older, the outcome could have been different. He said the doctor told him that if he didn't have age on his side, he might not have got up. He added that he has seen the man again on the field and reported it to the police, but lost him before they arrived.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they are aware of reports of an assault and are looking into it. The case is still in its early stages of investigation.
