Boy, 9, seriously injured after being attacked by dog in park

A nine-year-old boy has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after he was attacked by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier type dog.

The child was walking with his parents and their pet dog in Langdon Hills recreation ground in Essex when he was bitten on Friday.

The boy was trying to separate his pet and the other dog when he was hurt.

The animal did not have a collar and was not accompanied by its owner,

Essex Police said in a statement: “We were called on Friday 27 November with reports that the boy had been walking his dog with his family at Langdon Hills recreation ground shortly before 7.30pm, when another dog approached them.

“The dog was reported to have acted aggressively towards the family's dog before attacking the boy, when he tried to separate the two dogs.”

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Police have launched an appeal to find the animal which was described as a black Staffordshire Bull Terrier type dog with long legs.

Police added: “We are appealing for anyone who was in the area around the time and witnessed the attack, saw a dog matching this description in the area, or knows where the dog may have come from.

“We understand that this incident will cause concerns within the community, but officers are in the area searching for the dog and speaking to as many people as possible to find out if they have any information, which could help us with our investigation.”

There has been no update on the boy’s injuries.

If you have any information you can contact Essex Police on their website using reference 42/194565/20, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

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