Boy, 8, suffers life-changing injuries after XL Bully dog bite in Bootle
Merseyside Police have arrested two people and seized the dog
Last updated 23rd Aug 2024
A dog - believed by Merseyside Police to be an XL Bully - has been seized after a 8-year-old boy has been seriously bitten in Bootle.
Two people have been arrested following the incident yesterday evening (February 10, just after 5.20pm) - leaving the child with serious, life-changing injuries.
Officers were rushed out to Wadham Road after a report that the dog had bitten the boy's head in the communal area of nearby flats.
They’ve called the bite to the child’s head an ‘horrific attack’, with the boy still in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
House-to-house enquiries have been carried out in the area, and Merseyside Police say 'all CCTV opportunities are being explored'.
They have already spoken to a number of witnesses following the incident, however, they continue to appeal for further witnesses to come forward, as enquiries into what happened continue.
A 49-year-old woman and 30-year-old man, both from Bootle, have been arrested on suspicion of being a person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury. They have been taken into custody to be interviewed.
They are not related to the child who is injured.
'This case highlights in the starkest terms the potential dangers of dogs'
Detective Inspector Gary Stratton said: "This was a horrific attack which has left a young child requiring emergency surgery for injuries to his head.
“I want to reassure people that he is receiving the best possible care and treatment for his injuries, which are described as life-changing.
"We have seized the dog and extensive efforts are underway to establish exactly what happened. I want to appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident, who may have information, to come forward as soon as possible.
"This case highlights in the starkest terms the potential dangers of dogs, and I would appeal to anyone with information about dangerous dogs in their area to contact us so that we can take pro-active action."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter/X or Facebook.
You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 24000162913 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form.