Assailant mauled releasing second dog (8)
I believe the answer is:
alsatian
'dog' is the definition.
(I know that Alsatian is a type of dog)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for alsatian that I've seen before include "Breed of dog" , "Large dog and someone from Alsace" , "Old Frenchman" , "Strong dog known as German Shepherd" , "Dog (from French border region?)" .)