THE trainee, in his 20s, was confronted by a maniac who attempted to steal the pet two miles away from the Swinton Barracks in Tidworth, Wiltshire.

The incident on Friday afternoon sent shockwaves through the camp, though the young victim, who suffered a facial wound, is expected to make a full recovery.

It is understood that police are now investigating the attack.

It is not thought to be linked to the victim’s role in the Army.

A source said: “It was a random attack while he was out walking a dog.

“The attacker approached him and produced a knife, and demanded that he hand the dog over.

“Obviously he refused. The knifeman made a lunge at him, and he was wounded in the face.

“The attacker wouldn’t have known he was in the military, but obviously, with the threats soldiers face, this is still an alarming incident.”

Military sources said Wiltshire Police were investigating the incident as a civilian matter.

Swinton Barracks is a 320-acre military estate on the eastern edge of Salisbury Plain, which is regularly used for Army drills.

It houses two Royal Engineer regiments and two Signal regiments.

Wiltshire Police said: “At around 3.45pm on Friday, we received a report that an unknown suspect had approached a man walking a dog in woodland near Perham Down and attempted to snatch the lead of the dog.

“The victim, a man in his 20s, suffered a minor injury to his face during the incident.

“Our enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”

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