This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_east/6594507.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Test carried out after dog attack Dog mauled blind boy 'like doll'
(about 7 hours later)
Tests are being carried out to confirm the breed of dog which attacked and seriously injured a four-year-old boy in a street near Holywell, Flintshire. The aunt of a blind boy who was mauled by a dog said her four-year-old nephew was savaged "like he was a doll".
The boy remains in hospital having suffered injuries to his arm and torso. Thomas Miles was attacked by the animal, thought to be a Rhodesian Ridgeback, outside a house in Holywell, Flintshire on Tuesday evening.
Police say the animal's breed has not been established, but it was not banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act. His father Steven, who is also blind, and an off-duty policeman, who rushed to help, were injured in the attack.
The boy's father and an off-duty policeman who intervened were also treated in hospital, but have since been discharged. The dog was later destroyed by a vet and officials are carrying out tests to confirm its breed.
Police were called at 1920 BST on Tuesday after reports the boy had been attacked on the Tan y Felin estate in Greenfield. Police were called at 1920 BST on Tuesday after reports Thomas had been attacked on the Tan y Felin estate in Greenfield.
Attack witness His aunt, Caroline Miles, said: "They were walking back from the chip shop and my brother said he saw a dog walking over to them which he thought was a Labrador because he can't see very well.
An off-duty police officer, Pc Tony Jones, 38, witnessed the attack and ran to the boy's aid. We're all worried now that with his eyesight he'll be too scared to go out Caroline Miles, victim's aunt
He was bitten by the animal - described by one witness as a Rhodesian Ridgeback called Bruno - and required hospital treatment. "He thought the dog was after his chips but then it grabbed Thomas and caught him on the inside of his right leg.
It was later destroyed by a vet. "It picked him up and ran down the street with him, Thomas's head was bashed on the pavement.
A North Wales Police spokeswoman confirmed the dog was not banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act, but added: "We are looking at other aspects of the case." "Steven said he was punching, kicking and trying to gouge the dog's eyes.
One neighbour who witnessed the attack said the little boy was walking along a pavement with a man - thought to be his father - when the dog came out of a house and pounced on the child. "The dog grabbed him by the shoulders and he somehow managed to get him off Thomas and picked him up and ran up the street.
The witness, who did not want to be named, said a woman she believed was the dog's owner jumped on top of the animal and tried to wrestle it off the small child. "Steven said the dog was running behind jumping up at him."
'Grateful'
She said Mr Miles, a single father, ran to the nearest house where off-duty police officer Tony Jones, 38, opened the door and let them in.
She said: "That policeman saved Thomas's life. It could have been anyone at the door and he just let them in and then went out to deal with the dog which attacked him.
"We are so grateful to him."
Thomas was taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan by ambulance where he underwent emergency surgery.
Miss Miles said the family were concerned how the experience would affect Thomas.
"We're all worried now that with his eyesight he'll be too scared to go out. People need to learn to keep their animals under control," she added.
North Wales Police are investigating the incident but say preliminary inquiries suggest the dog was not of a breed banned under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act.