A five-year-old boy was hospitalized after being “aggressively approached” and mauled by a dog while visiting a park, according to authorities.
The boy was playing with his mother in Doncaster on November 6 when a dog, believed to be a bull type, suddenly attacked his face, according to South Yorkshire Police.
The kid was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for injuries to his eyes, ears, and cheeks, according to authorities.
“What should have been an enjoyable experience for a little boy has turned into every parent’s nightmare,” officials said in a statement, adding that the child’s injuries could leave “lasting physical scars.”
Following the attack, police officials confiscated the dog, which looked to be off-leash at the time.
They also arrested a 29-year-old guy on charges of owning an out-of-control dog. According to local police, the man has been released on bond, but the dog remains in police custody.
“This incident should never [have happened] and could have [been] avoided by responsible ownership,” Officer Steve Usher stated in his statement. “If you are in an area with children who can act in excitable and unpredictable ways, there should be no reason a dog should be off its leash.”
“Being a responsible owner is the difference between dogs causing fear and harm in our community,” he said later. “Do your part and act. Don’t think it won’t happen to you, or that your dog would never do that. Any dog has the capacity to injure.
