Youngster Hospitalised Following Incident

A lawyer at Irwin Mitchell has welcomed the launch of an investigation into a dog attack which has left a one-year-old boy hospitalised with serious facial injuries.

The St Helens Star reports that the child was bitten by his family’s pet, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, at home in Burtonwood on Tuesday. His 42-year-old mother was also injured in the incident.

Police seized the animal in the aftermath of the incident, while the youngster is believed to be in a stable condition in Alder Hey Hospital.

Katrina Elsey, who specialises in personal injury cases related to dog bites, said: “While very few details have yet been released into this incident, it is terrible to hear that a youngster has been so badly hurt.

“Cases of animal attacks are often deeply traumatic for all of those involved, particularly with youngsters as the drama of the incidents tends to leave lasting physical and emotional scars.

“This incident may also see the debate over keeping certain breeds of dog in homes with young children begin once again. More needs to be done to ensure people of all ages are well protected from the threat of animal bites.”