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Dog attack boy stable in hospital Dog attack boy stable in hospital
(40 minutes 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 is recovering in hospital after suffering serious bite injuries in an attack by a Rottweiler.
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.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.
He was taken to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester. A hospital spokesman said Harvey had had a "comfortable night" watching videos.He was taken to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester. A hospital spokesman said Harvey had had a "comfortable night" watching videos.
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.The attack happened in the front garden of a house in Tudor Close, Middleton-on-Sea.
Emergency services found Harvey badly hurt, with "multiple bite wounds" at about midday on Tuesday.Emergency services found Harvey badly hurt, with "multiple bite wounds" at about midday on Tuesday.
But the spokesman at St Richard's Hospital told the BBC his condition had improved by Wednesday morning.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.Neighbour Mike Pepper, 66, was up a ladder outside his home when he heard a woman screaming nearby.
He described what confronted him when he ran into the garden.He described what confronted him when he ran into the garden.
"I knew something was wrong, particularly as a Rottweiler was involved."I knew something was wrong, particularly as a Rottweiler was involved.
"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."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.
"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."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.
"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."
Parents by bedside Police inquiries
Police said the dog, called Tyler, was seized and its owner had "voluntarily authorised the humane destruction of the animal".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.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.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.