Gold Coast surfer Mick Fanning takes on attack dogs in South Africa

NOT content with punching sharks, champion surfer Mick Fanning has taken on attack dogs in South Africa. SEE THE VIDEO

NOT content with punching sharks in South Africa, three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning has been mauled by a tracker dog — all in the name of wildlife conservation.

Ahead of the fifth stop on the surfing world tour — the 2017 Corona Open J-Bay kicking off next week — Fanning has been on safari with conservation group WildArk.

And he’s taken on an anti-poaching attack dog, suiting up and facing off with the fierce german shepherd which threw him to the ground leaving him bruised.

Mick Fanning suits up to take on attack dogs in South Africa. Photo: Luke Rockhold

In an Instagram video shot by Luke Rockhold, Fanning demonstrated how the dogs are used to scare poachers away from African wildlife.

“We went to the South African Wildlife College and learnt about anti-poaching and the methods they use,” Fanning wrote.

“One is tracker dogs and I played victim today.”

Mick Fanning fends off the attack dog in South Africa. Photo: Luke Rockhold

Mick Fanning was thrown to the ground by the attack dog. Photo: Luke Rockhold

“No way would I do this without the suit on. Even through it I got bruised,” he said.

“Incredible smart animals the dogs they use. Luckily no one was harmed (in) this video.”

Fanning famously punched a shark when it attack him during the J-Bay open in 2015. (Photo by WSL/WSL via Getty Images)

Fanning is an ambassador for the group founded by Australians Mark and Sophie Hutchinson.

Rugby union star David Pocock and his partner Emma are also ambassadors.

Fanning is back in South Africa ahead of the J-Bay open. Photo: AFP PHOTO / PETER PARKS