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Dog attack boy stable in hospital Dog attack boy stable in hospital
(about 10 hours later)
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. A two-year-old boy who suffered serious injuries in an attack by a Rottweiler is now "eating, drinking and playing".
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. Harvey Lawrence was bitten on the head, face, neck and body at the home of his grandmother in Middleton-on-Sea, near Bognor Regis, in West Sussex.
Dr Tim Taylor, paediatric consultant at St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, said he would be monitored for a few days. A spokesman at St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, said he had been "stable and comfortable throughout the day".
Police said the dog's owner voluntarily agreed for it to be put down. Earlier, consultant Dr Tim Taylor said he was expected to make a full recovery but would be monitored for a few days.
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. He added that Harvey had had a "number of stitches" for the lacerations across his body.
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. It is understood that the dog, called Tyler, belonged to the partner of Harvey's paternal grandmother, Gwendoline Lawrence.
Police said the animal was seized and its owner had "voluntarily authorised its humane destruction".
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
Emergency services found Harvey with "multiple bite wounds" following the attack on Tuesday in the front garden of a house in Tudor Close, a private road in Middleton-on-Sea.
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.
"We've seen worse but I think it's certainly one to put in the severe category."We've seen worse but I think it's certainly one to put in the severe category.
"He has obviously been through a traumatic event but knowing the healing ability of children I am sure he will be all right. "He has obviously been through a traumatic event but knowing the healing ability of children I am sure he will be all right."
"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." Long leash
A hospital spokeswoman said the dog, called Tyler, had belonged to "an acquaintance of Harvey's family". Harvey, who lives in Westbourne, West Sussex, was saved when neighbour Mike Pepper, 66, heard the toddler's grandmother screaming and raced to her home with a hammer.
Humane destruction "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," he said.
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."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 said the animal was seized and its owner had "voluntarily authorised its humane destruction".