FERRIDAY &8212; Danny Phillips said he now fears for his safety every time he goes out for his morning paper.

Phillips, 78, was attacked by his neighbor&8217;s pit bull outside his home at 9936 U.S. 84, Sept. 3.

Phillips said the pit bull, which was unchained and not fenced in, was trying to attack his puppy.

The puppy was chained to the fence at Phillips&8217;s home when the pit bull started chasing it, he said.

&8220;I picked him (the puppy) up and turned to go into my house when I heard the pit bull growl,&8221; Phillips said.

&8220;I turned around and the dog jumped at me, and as I dropped my puppy, the dog bit down on my left hand.&8221;

Phillips had to hit the pit bull twice on the head before the dog let go.

Now Phillips faces reconstructive surgery to three fingers on his left hand.

Phillips&8217;s wife drove him to the VA hospital in Alexandria, then to St. Francis Cabrini after the incident.

&8220;He did a hell of a job on my hand,&8221; Phillips said.

&8220;The orthopedic surgeon at Cabrini said I was lucky the dog didn&8217;t bite my hand off.&8221;

Phillips filed a complaint with the Concordia Parish Sheriff&8217;s Office after he returned from the hospital.

In a press release Wednesday, Public Information Officer Kathy Stevens stated that Sgt. John Mitchell, in charge of the investigation, spoke to the owner of the pit bull and received records that the dog had been vaccinated.

&8220;The dog was confined for the required 10 days, as I understand it, and was checked by the Health Dept,&8221; Steven stated.

Phillips said he is going back to Cabrini Friday for more surgery on his hand.

&8220;I just wish people would pay attention to their pets for safety&8217;s sake,&8221; Phillips said.