NEW ZEALAND -- A four-year-old boy is recovering in hospital after being mauled by a dog at his North Shore home last night.
Neighbours heard screams before rushing next door to find the boy covered in blood, police say.
The boy was taken to Starship Hospital where he is being treated for a severe scalp laceration and a bite wound below his eye.
North Shore area commander Inspector Les Paterson said there was initial confusion as to what had occurred.
He said neighbours at first believed the boy had been the victim of an assault and called police.
When officers arrived it was established he had been attacked by a Staffordshire Terrier belonging to a person who was visiting the home.
The dog has been seized and is expected to be destroyed. No decision has been made as to whether charges will be laid.
(Stuff.co.nz - Dec 3, 2012)
