WARNING – DISTRESSING IMAGES: Devastated mum Victoria Kiesler said her son Weston, 8, was outside their house when he was suddenly attacked by the animal, believed to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier
An eight-year-old boy was left needing facial reconstruction surgery after a “distressing” dog attack. Devastated mum Victoria Kiesler said her son Weston was outside his house when he was suddenly attacked by the animal, which is believed to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
The youngster’s lip was “hanging off” his face after the incident and he was also left with multiple facial lacerations and a fractured arm. Now, she says, he is left struggling to look at people after having a five-hour reconstructive operation to repair the injuries to his face. He also has a pot on his right arm where the dog first ripped into him.
Victoria, 37, from Goole, East Yorks., said: “It was really distressing when I saw him because I couldn’t see how injured he was. I could just see his face full of blood and the injury to his lip. It was quite traumatic but I went on autopilot, I was trying to be strong for him.”
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Victoria, a mum-of-five, says that Weston was talking to his neighbour at around 10am on Sunday when the dog suddenly attacked his face.
The youngster tried to go back to his home but the dog then attacked him on his arm and then on his face again.
Victoria said: “Someone came to the door and said that Weston had been attacked by a dog and that it was really bad. I remember being really panicky.
“I ran across the road and he was sat there, I remember seeing his massive facial injuries and seeing him covered in blood.”
Victoria, a nurse, added: “He’s a little bit nervous about what people are going to think about his face.
“He’s got all these stitches and is struggling to look at people. I do think this is going to have an impact on him when he’s around dogs. I think he’s going to be really nervous, especially around larger breeds.”
The dog’s owner, a 54-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being a person in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog that caused injury.
He has since been released on conditional bail while investigations continue and the dog has been seized.
Neighbourhood policing chief inspector Rob Danby, of Humberside Police, said: “This was clearly a very distressing event for the child and their family and the police investigation into the incident continues as we gather information relevant to our enquiries.
“Our dog legislation officer has been involved with the investigation and these discussions continue as we look to take the most appropriate action.
“We urge anyone who was in the area at the time and may have information that could assist our inquiries to please contact us via our non-emergency number, 101, quoting log number 153 of 11 May.”
