»The owner of a heroic hound who ran after a knife-wielding thug is the subject of a police search.

Officers are desperate to speak to the man whose courageous canine gave chase to the attacker after he stabbed an innocent man in his own home.

Police were called at about 7.15pm on August’s Bank Holiday Monday after the knifeman broke into a block of flats in Roden Street, Holloway, kicked down the door to the victim’s property and stabbed him.

He then escaped and ran away towards Pakeman Street, but the dog – a Staffordshire bull terrier – saw him and gave chase with his lead trailing behind and his owner running after his pet, before the man escaped in a grey car.

Police hope this dog-walker can provide the vital evidence needed to catch the man who carried out the vicious assault.

Det Con Kevin Foley, the investigating officer, said: “The suspect broke down a communal door and once inside kicked through a flat door and stabbed the occupant. He ran out into the street and there was a man walking his dog.

“The dog then raced after him. It was a brown and white long-legged ‘staffy’.

“We really don’t know why the dog started running after him. It could be the witness set the dog on the suspect, or maybe the dog saw him running and chased him.

“Maybe he thought it was a game they were playing.

“But the owner is a crucial witness and we really want to locate him.”

The dog-walker has dark hair and was wearing a dark top and jeans.

Det Con Foley said: “This appeared to be a random and unprovoked attack.

“While it is frightening, attacks like this are very rare and we would like to reassure people Islington is a safe borough.”

The 34-year-old victim suffered multiple stab wounds, but his injuries were described as non-life threatening.

n Anyone who has any information on the incident is asked to call Islington CID on 101 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.