United Kingdom: Bull mastiff dog attack leaves boy, 5, needing plastic surgery and 29 stitches

UNITED KINGDOM -- A boy of five has been left scarred for life after a dog tore off a chunk of his cheek in a ferocious attack.

Little Jordan Routledge needed plastic surgery and 29 stitches to repair the gaping wound caused by a 13 stone (approximately 180-lbs) bull mastiff at his gran’s house.

But police are unable to prosecute owner Bradley Crowle, 22, because the attack took place on private property.

They persuaded him to have it put down after the youngster’s furious mum Ashley complained it was free to attack again.

And the 24-year-old said she backed the Mirror’s campaign to change the law as she spoke of her son’s ordeal

She said: “When I saw Jordan’s injuries it felt like a horrible nightmare. Half his face was covered in blood and bandages and he was petrified.

“Despite the horrific injuries to my son it’s appalling the owner has been allowed to walk away. I’m 100% behind the Mirror’s bid for a law change.

“It is an absolute disgrace I’ve had to fight to get this dog put down after the vicious attack on my boy. The dog was an absolute giant compared to my son who only weighs three stone.”

Jordan was set upon as he was on his way to bed while staying the night at gran Amanda Smith’s home in ­Chippenham, Wiltshire.

Mandy, 41, said: “It all happened in a flash. The dog was lying in the hallway and just jumped up at him. It bit into Jordan’s face and his cheek was hanging down. It was horrific.

“My 23-year-old son Adam ran into the hallway and beat the dog away and shut him in a bedroom while I phoned 999.

"Jordan screamed and was bleeding very badly but he was a very brave boy.”

Ashley told how Jordan loved dogs and had often played with the pet, called Bruno.

He came round with family friend Crowle, who visits Mandy regularly, but had never shown signs of aggression.

But she added: “Now he is so scared of dogs he wouldn’t go out of the house until I said Bruno had been put down.”

Crowle refused to comment. The attack is the latest in a number by dogs this year.

(Daily Mirror UK - July 5, 2013)