Two neighbours are said to have heroically freed a four-year-old from the jaws of a vicious dog.
Merseyside Police were called to reports of a dog attack at Wellesbourne Close in Norris Green at around 7pm on Saturday, August 13. The dog, initially believed to be a Bullmastiff-type dog, attacked the boy who is reported to have been at his friend's house.
The boy suffered serious injuries and his condition is still said to be serious but stable after he was rushed to hospital in a car and underwent surgery that night. One neighbour told the ECHO about how two heroic people stepped in to save the boy from the out-of-control dog.
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She said: "Two neighbours ran over, one hit it over the head with a golf club, the other pulled the jaws of the dog open and pulled the boy out. We heard that the boy is thankfully okay."
Yesterday, the ECHO published a photo of the dog believed to have attacked the boy on the quiet residential street. Following the shocking attack, a 31-year-old woman from Norris Green was arrested on suspicion of being in charge of an out-of-control dangerous dog causing injury and has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Earlier today Merseyside Police announced that a second person had been arrested following the attack. A 33-year-old man from Fairfield was arrested yesterday (Monday 15 August) on suspicion of being in charge of an out-of-control dangerous dog causing injury. The suspect is still in police custody and further investigations are ongoing.
Work is still ongoing to identify the breed of the dog after it was seized by officers.
Detective Inspector Neil Dillon said yesterday: “This was an horrendous attack on a four-year-old boy and it is only as a result of the swift actions of a brave neighbour that this young boy is still alive. The four-year-old has sustained significant injuries to his head and face.
“I would like to reassure everyone that we are working tirelessly to establish the full circumstances of the incident. If you were in the area of Wellesbourne Place at around 7pm and witnessed anything, or have any information about the dog in question then please come forward to speak to one of our officers.
“Our officers take the issue of dangerous dogs very seriously. Over the past years we have worked proactively with the five local authorities in Merseyside to ensure prohibited dogs are taken off the streets.
"People who own or care for dogs should always make sure they are on a lead in public and should consider whether they need to be muzzled. It's also a good idea to get your dog micro-chipped so that it can always be traced if it is lost, or escapes.
"If you keep your dog in the garden, you must make sure that the fencing is properly maintained so they can't escape.”
If you witnessed the incident or have any information, please contact Merseyside Police's social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police Contact Centre. You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 22000593253, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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