Two strangers scooped up a schoolboy after two escaped dogs started attacking him.
Just after 3.30pm on Wednesday, June 15, Merseyside Police were called after two boxer dogs escaped a property and attacked several people on Tuffins Corner and Garden Lodge Grove in Netherley. Five people were attacked in total, including the 12-year-old boy and a women, who were both seriously injured.
The 32-year-old dad of the schoolboy has spoken to the ECHO about the terrifying attack on his son, who was walking home from Gateacre School with his friend at the time.
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He said: "On Wednesday my 12-year-old son was walking home with his friend, also 12, from Gateacre School - the usual way they walk everyday. As they crossed the path into Netherley by the BT building they saw some sort of commotion happening where a woman seemed to be getting attacked by two dogs.
"The dogs then left the lady and [she] was shouting to my son and his mate as well as other people [started] telling them to run. Luckily my son's mate managed to get away but the two boxers caught my son and grabbed onto his school bag.
"They then proceeded to start to attack his legs and my son was in panic."
The dad explained how two strangers managed to pick up his son and started shouting at the dogs to get away. They managed to get the 12-year-old in to a car to keep him safe.
The dad said: "I had only just got home when a man knocked at my door explaining that my son had been attacked and I could see him in the car and that he was in a lot of pain, and screaming in pain. His step mum got him inside not knowing the extent of his injuries while I rushed round to the area to make sure the dogs weren't attacking anybody else.
"That's when I was met by the police at the dog owner's house. I spoke to police and gave my details and explained that my son had apparently been attacked and he was at home. My partner rang me and said his injuries where quite bad."
Police followed the dad back home where they took pictures of his son's injuries and carried out first aid. He was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
The dad said: "A doctor and surgeon came to look at his injuries and decided he would definitely need surgery and needed x-rays to see if any bone or ligament damage was caused. After the checks he was cleaned around the wounds and bandaged up.
"He was put on a critical burns ward to wait overnight and given strong antibiotics. The next day he was put to sleep and underwent surgery for around three hours on both his legs.
"The surgery was successful and they determined the bites didn't cause long lasting damage from what we know so far, but we will keep an eye on his injuries over the healing phase the next few weeks. A bite puncture on his foot reached the bone but didn't cause any damage."
Following the incident the dad said he has had lots of people sending him kind messages and also received an apology from the dog owner. He said: "Overall the incident was a really bad situation for him, us as parents and his friends. He is acting like most lads his age - not showing much emotion.
"But what he's gone through we know as parents he's been through a lot, and will watch his mental health closely as well as his physical injuries. We have had lots of people come forward with kind messages and we were over the moon with how many people reached out to us.
"Also we are very thankful for the two men who helped my son as it could have been a lot worse. The owner of the dogs has also messaged us with apologies and we know that it was a freak accident and don't hold no grudges to the dog owner - who seems just as upset as the victims.
"Hopefully all victims can recover and can move forward."
Merseyside Police have said the two dogs were seized from the location and remain in secure police kennels awaiting examination. Officers are continuing to carry out extensive CCTV and witness enquiries in the area and are appealing for anyone who has any information to contact police.
Inspector Joanne Jacob said: “This was a shocking and traumatic attack that has left several residents in the area with multiple injuries. Whilst we continue to investigate this incident we can confirm that the two dogs were seized shortly after the attack and are confirmed to be the boxer breed.
“If you were on Tuffins Corner and Garden Lodge Grove on Tuesday afternoon and witnessed the attacks, or have any information about the dogs in question then please come forward and speak to our officers. We have a dedicated team who review all cases concerning dangerous dogs and are keen to speak to anyone who saw the incident to establish the full circumstances of these attacks.
"I want to emphasize that dog owners need to be mindful of their dogs' behaviours at all times, particularly when they are outside. If you are a dog owner or anyone who is looking after any dogs that are liable to be aggressive please make sure they are in a protected space and on a lead or muzzled if out in public.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the social media desk @MerPolCC, call 101 with reference 23000516852 or you can call or the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK anonymously, on 0800 555 111. You can also use their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
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