12-year-old Kyle Willets was playing at a friend’s house on Monday when the Japanese Akita launched towards his face, leaving him with life long scars.
The Our Lady St. John's pupil has since undergone reconstructive surgery on his top lip and the dog has been put to sleep.
Kyle's mum, Natalie Horner, told 2BR of her horror when she saw her son in the immediate aftermath of the attack: "I couldn't physically face my own son because of the extent of the injuries. I took one look at him and I actually thought his top lip was missing. That's when my oldest daughter had to step in to call the ambulance. I never want to see anything like that again, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
"The top of his mouth had been detached from under his nose, down through his top lip, through his bottom lip, as well as down under his chin. When he came through the door he was holding himself up, covered in blood and I panicked.
"I was scared because it's my baby's face at the end of the day - you carry that for life."
The 32-year-old mum of four explains how the attack came about: "There was a bit of commotion going on between the lads and the dog took it the wrong way and thought there was an actual fight going on. It lunged for Kyle's face once, someone got the dog off but it went back a second time.
Kyle ran home in shock with no shoes on. Loads of kids were screaming because he was running across covered in blood."
Kyle was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital before being transferred for specialist treatment at Manchester Children’s Hospital. He spent three hours in surgery while doctors worked to reconstruct his face, though he will need further work if he's ever to have full mobility of his lip in the future.
Natalie says she doesn't blame the dog's owner, "She's done the right thing by putting the dog down. I've always been wary of bigger dogs but any dog can pounce. Everyone needs to be aware, especially over the six week holidays. If everyone puts their dogs to one side when other people's kids are at their houses that would help because I honestly don't ever want to see anything like that again.
(2BR News - Aug 3, 2016)
