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Dog attack boy stable in hospital Dog attack boy stable in hospital
(about 2 hours later)
A two-year-old boy is recovering in hospital after suffering serious bite injuries in an attack by a Rottweiler. A two-year-old boy who suffered serious injuries in an attack by a Rottweiler is expected to make "a very good recovery", a hospital consultant said.
The toddler, named by the hospital as Harvey, was bitten on the head, face, neck and body at his grandmother's home near Bognor Regis, West Sussex. Harvey Lawrence was bitten on the head, face, neck and body at his grandmother's home in Middleton-on-Sea, near Bognor Regis in West Sussex.
He was taken to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester. A hospital spokesman said Harvey had had a "comfortable night" watching videos. Dr Tim Taylor, paediatric consultant at St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, said he would be monitored for a few days.
Police said the dog's owner voluntarily agreed for it to be put down.Police said the dog's owner voluntarily agreed for it to be put down.
The attack happened in the front garden of a house in Tudor Close, Middleton-on-Sea. Emergency services found Harvey with "multiple bite wounds" following the attack on Tuesday lunchtime in the front garden of a house in Tudor Close, a private road in Middleton-on-Sea.
Emergency services found Harvey badly hurt, with "multiple bite wounds" at about midday on Tuesday. Dr Taylor said: "He came in with really very extensive lacerations affecting his face, scalp, upper body and arms, and [was] in a state of real distress.
But the spokesman at St Richard's Hospital told the BBC his condition had improved by Wednesday morning.
I hit the dog over the head with a hammer Neighbour, Mike PepperI hit the dog over the head with a hammer Neighbour, Mike Pepper
Neighbour Mike Pepper, 66, was up a ladder outside his home when he heard a woman screaming nearby. "We've seen worse but I think it's certainly one to put in the severe category.
He described what confronted him when he ran into the garden. "He has obviously been through a traumatic event but knowing the healing ability of children I am sure he will be all right.
"I knew something was wrong, particularly as a Rottweiler was involved. "Harvey has been reasonably settled and when I visited him this morning he had had a light breakfast and was watching Fireman Sam on TV."
"The dog was tethered but on a very long leash in the front garden and the boy's grandmother was still trying to protect the boy from the dog. A hospital spokeswoman said the dog, called Tyler, had belonged to "an acquaintance of Harvey's family".
"I approached the dog and told it to go away but it didn't back off and it started coming towards me barking, so I then hit the dog over the head with a hammer. Humane destruction
Neighbour Mike Pepper, 66, heard the toddler's grandmother screaming and raced to her home with a hammer.
"The dog was tethered but on a very long leash in the front garden and the boy's grandmother was still trying to protect him.
"The dog started coming towards me barking so I hit it over the head with a hammer.
"Fortunately it didn't react towards me, it backed off a bit stunned, so then I was able to assist with the child.""Fortunately it didn't react towards me, it backed off a bit stunned, so then I was able to assist with the child."
Police inquiries Police said the animal was seized and its owner had "voluntarily authorised its humane destruction".
Police said the dog, called Tyler, was seized and its owner had "voluntarily authorised the humane destruction of the animal".
Inquiries with the boy's family are continuing.
The attack came just three days after five-month-old Cadey-Lee Deacon was mauled to death by two Rottweilers at a pub in Leicester.