Description:
The tackle-shop owner was attacked by a lesser-spotted dogfish after he reeled it in off Folkestone pier, Kent.
He fought for five minutes to wrench the thrashing creature, a mini member of the shark family, off his hooter as laughing passers-by looked on.
Phil, 38, was left with a bloody gash and rows of tiny teethmarks round his nostrils.
The dogfish struck as local lad Phil tried to show it off to pal Scott Allen. Phil said last night: “I called out, ‘Hey mate, look at this whopper’. But somehow Scott nudged my arm and the fish catapulted itself up to my nose with its jaws wide open.
“It clamped around my nostrils and wouldn’t let go. It was agony and I was screaming. The fish didn’t just hang on, either. I could feel it chomping its teeth as if it wanted me for its last meal.
“Everyone on the pier was watching me jumping up and down with a shark hanging off my nose. People were singing the Jaws theme tune — I’ve never felt so embarrassed.” Phil finally pulled the fish away and tended to his wound.
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