A fun birthday party in Stockton-on-Tees turned into a scary moment when a young child was attacked by a dog. The incident happened on Saturday, April 19, at a house on Chopwell Close in the Hardwick area of northern England.
What Happened During the Party?
According to a statement by the Cleveland Police, officers were called to the house after someone reported that a child had been bitten by a dog. The child, believed to be around two or three years old, was hurt on the arms and head. Thankfully, the injuries were not life-threatening.
Even though emergency services were called, the child’s family decided to take the toddler to the hospital themselves. The North East Ambulance Service confirmed that they didn’t need to send an ambulance because the family handled it on their own.
What Did Police Do About the Dog?
When the police reached the house, they safely secured the dog without harming it. The dog was taken away to special kennels where it will be looked after by experts. Although people at the scene said the dog looked like a pitbull mix, police have not confirmed the breed yet.
Eyewitnesses Share Their Experience
One person who was nearby said the scene looked serious. “There were loads of emergency services as I was walking past, and the child was taken to hospital, it looked really bad,” the person told Metro UK.
Others who were present during the party were shocked by what happened. Many were worried about the safety of children at the event. It is still not clear how the dog ended up attacking the toddler or whether the dog belonged to someone attending the party.
Authorities Continue to Investigate
Cleveland Police and the North East Ambulance Service have not given more details yet. They are still looking into what caused the dog to attack and whether any further action needs to be taken.
Dog attacks involving young children can be very upsetting. Thankfully, in this case, the child is expected to recover fully. Incidents like this also raise questions about keeping dogs around small children, especially during busy events like parties.
While the child in this case was lucky to avoid life-threatening injuries, it’s a reminder to always be careful when dogs and toddlers are in the same space. Authorities acted quickly and safely removed the dog, and they continue to investigate the situation. Dog owners must always ensure their pets are under control, especially during social gatherings. It’s also important for parents and caregivers to watch children closely around animals to avoid such unfortunate incidents.
