A two-year-old boy suffered serious facial injuries after being mauled by a dog in the beer garden of The Wulstan pub in Wolstanton, Staffordshire, on Wednesday, 15 July. The attack, described by a witness as a 'bloodbath', left the toddler covered in blood and rushed to Royal Stoke University Hospital for emergency care. Police are now appealing for witnesses to the incident.
Witness Describes Horrific Scene
Philip Preece, who was in the beer garden at the time, told The Stoke Sentinel that the dog was 'some kind of Bulldog breed'. He said the boy's mother was in tears and others were 'hysterical' following the attack. Preece described the child's injuries as severe, stating he could not 'make out any of his facial features' because the boy was 'covered in blood' and 'so much was gushing out'.
Preece said he had seen the boy playing with toys and eating food just moments before the attack. He had gone inside the pub to get another drink and was returning when the mother ran in carrying her injured child. 'He was in an absolute mess. You couldn't make out any of his facial features. He was covered in blood. His mum was too. So much was gushing out,' Preece recounted.
Emergency Response and Hospital Treatment
West Midlands Ambulance Service dispatched an ambulance and a paramedic officer to the scene. A spokesman said: 'We were called following reports a child had been bitten by a dog. The boy was given treatment for his serious injuries before being conveyed to Royal Stoke University Hospital for further emergency care.'
Staffordshire Police also attended the scene alongside ambulance crews. A police spokesperson confirmed: 'We were called to The Wulstan following reports that a child had been bitten by a dog. The child was taken to hospital with facial injuries. He has since been discharged. Our investigation is ongoing and we are appealing for anyone with any information that might help our investigation to contact us.'
Police Appeal for Information
Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the attack or has relevant information to come forward. Witnesses can contact Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 592 of 15 July, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
