Boy, 7, mauled by dog in pub garden as cops release photo of …
A seven-year-old boy has been seriously injured after he was viciously attacked by a dog in a pub beer garden. The youngster was bitten on the head by the large dog as he played in the outside area of the Crows Nest Inn in Swanage, Dorset. After taking back control of the animal a man and a woman, believed to be its owners, promptly left the scene before the emergency services arrived and did not leave any contact details.
Now Dorset Police[1] has issued a photograph of the pair who they say they want to speak to in connection with the incident. An air ambulance landed in a nearby field and the boy was airlifted to hospital. He underwent surgery for injuries which are not life threatening or life changing.
Dorset Police have now launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses to help track down the owners of the dog.
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Police would like to speak to these people (Dorset Police)
A photo of the man and woman restraining a dog moments after the attack has been released as part of the appeal. The man has short cropped grey hair and is wearing black-rimmed glasses. The woman has shoulder-length brown hair and was wearing a dark blue or black jacket and blue and white shorts at the time.
The couple are believed to be aged in their late 40s or early 50s. The dog is believed to be either a German Wirehaired Pointing or an Italian Spinone breed. It has brown and white shaggy fur.
PC Alistair James, of Purbeck police, said: "This was understandably a distressing incident for the young boy involved and his family and we hope he makes a full recovery from his injury. "We are conducting enquiries into this matter and have obtained an image of a man and woman with the dog that was believed to be involved. "We are keen to speak to these people so we can take their account of what happened.
"I would urge anyone with information relating to their identity to please come forward. I would also ask the man and woman pictured to please do the right thing and come forward. "I would also like to hear from any witnesses to the incident who have not already spoken to police."
The attack took place at about 5.10pm on Tuesday, May 2.