Boy, 5, seriously injured after being attacked 'by Staffordshire Bull Terrier'

23 October 2023 , 11:06

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Officers believe the dog to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images)

A five-year-old boy has been hospitalised with serious injuries after being reportedly attacked by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Police raced to reports of a dog injuring a child on a street in Ashington, Northumberland around 4.30pm yesterday. The boy was rushed to hospital, where he remains in a serious but non-life-threatening condition.

In agreement with its owner, the animal was seized by officers at the scene "to protect the public". Officers believe it to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, but further tests are being carried out to confirm the exact breed. No arrests appear to have been made.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson told the Mirror: "Shortly before 4.30pm yesterday, police received a report that a dog had injured a child in the Maple Street area of Ashington. A five-year-old boy was taken to hospital where he currently remains for treatment. His injuries are described as serious but non-life-threatening.

“Officers attended the scene where – in agreement with the owner – the dog in question was seized by police in order to protect the public. While further assessment will be carried out, officers believe the dog to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed. Police remain in the area to offer reassurance and enquiries into the incident are ongoing."

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

The incident comes amid rising numbers of dog attacks on Brits, with Rishi Sunak announcing last month that the XL Bully is set to become the fifth banned dog bree d in the UK by the end of the year. Figures obtained by ITV have also shown a 22% rise in dog attacks in the 12 months up to June this year, compared with the year before.

The number of dogs detained under the Dangerous Dogs Act has also gone up by more than 50% since July 2021, according to forces which responded to Freedom of Information requests. The Mirror has been calling for change with the help of Emma Whitfied, from Caerphilly, whose 10-year-old son Jack Lis was killed by an XL Bully two years ago.

Our three demands have been supported by Labour’s Wayne David MP, victims of dog attacks and the Dog Control Coalition.

Katie Weston