A FOUR-year-old child has been left with injuries “like something out of a horror film” after he was savaged by a dog.
Amanda Holmes’ son Antonio Quinn was at his friend’s house on May 26 when he was suddenly attacked by a Pocket Bully.
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He had been standing just outside the front door when he was attacked by the dog and was saved by a family friend who managed to pull the creature off.
The terrified youngster managed to run away from the dog, but he was left covered in blood and had injuries to both of his cheeks, underneath his chin and his right thigh.
Antonio was then rushed to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where he underwent a three-hour operation to stitch his wounds.
Amanda, 34, said: “It was the worst thing ever, it was horrible. It was so scary.
“I couldn’t believe my son’s face was like that, it was like something out of a horror film.”
Amanda says that Antonio went to his neighbour’s house to quickly grab a drink, when he was suddenly attacked by the animal.
The youngster then ran back to his house in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire before being rushed to hospital and put in theatre for three hours.
Amanda, a mum-of-three said: “I heard a scream – you know your child’s cry.
“Antonio was then at the front door, he had blood all over his face and his cheeks were hanging off his face.
“I was screaming, asking what’s happened and then I rang the ambulance.
“Luckily, the dog didn’t remove any skin – they just ripped it.
“They’ve managed to put it all back together, they’ve done a really good job with him.”
Despite Antonio’s injuries, he seems to be doing well, she added.
She said: “I thought that bringing him home from the hospital, when we’ve got a dog, might be an obstacle for him but he’s been absolutely fine.
“The dog knows that he’s been injured so she hasn’t left his side.
“Antonio is doing okay, you can tell that he’s shocked by it.
“He’s still in a lot of pain but he’s doing well.”
A Lancashire Police spokesperson confirmed that the Pocket Bully and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which was also at the scene, have been seized.
They said: “We’re appealing for information and footage after a child suffered a dog bite in Oswaldtwistle.
“We were called at shortly after 1.30pm on Monday 26th May following reports that a child had been bitten by a dog on Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle.
“The child, a four-year-old boy, was taken to hospital with injuries to his leg and face.
“Thankfully, those injuries are not life threatening.
“Two dogs have been seized by police – a Staffordshire Bull Terrier type and a Pocket Bully Type and the dog owner has been identified and will be spoken to in due course.”
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