Hero boy attacked by dog trying to save toddler brother while playing in garden

30 August 2023 , 17:05

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Brothers Jac (left) and Caio were playing in their front garden when a French bulldog charged in (Image: Wales Online / Media Wales)

A 10-year-old boy has been attacked by a dog as he tried to save his younger brother from being bitten.

Caio Lewis was playing with his two-year-old brother Jac when a French bulldog charged into the front garden of their dad's home in Carmarthenshire on Saturday evening. Springing into action to defend his brother, Caio ran towards Jac in case the dog attacked.

“The boys were playing at their dad’s house when the dog ran straight for Jac,” said Caio’s mum Lara Poyer told Wales Online, who lives in Llanelli. “Caio noticed the dog running straight for Jac and he went straight over and pushed him out of the way. As Jac ran back towards the house the dog bit Caio on his thigh.”

Caio's wound following the bite (Wales Online / Media Wales)

Lara rushed Caio to hospital where he was treated with a dressing for the wound and given a six-day course of antibiotics. He is now getting better and grateful his little brother was not bitten.

“He's a bit sore but he's doing well," said Lara. "We’re very proud of him - he showed a lot of sense and bravery to jump in front of Jac. The dog owner has been very apologetic about what happened. I don’t want the dog to be destroyed because it’s a rescue dog and it’s obviously had a difficult upbringing previously.”

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However, Lara says she understands the situation could have been far worse had Caio not acted as quickly as he did. “Where the dog bit Caio was the equivalent of his brother’s head in terms of height because Jac is so small, so it could have been a lt worse,” she said.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed it had been notified of the incident and that officers were making enquiries.

Robert Harries