Attacked by dog as boy, 6, walks home

Connor Priest suffered six bite marks in a two-inch circle below his left ribs in the attack by a Staffordshire bull terrier.

He was taken to a GP by his mother, Katy Priest, where he was given antibiotics after he declined to go to hospital.

Mrs Priest (26) said: 'Connor was hysterical to start with. Then, he went into shock. He didn't know what had happened.'

She reported the incident to the police but, because the dog was on a lead at the time, they said no offence had been caused.

They did, however, pass on details to Arun District Council's dog wardens who were due to contact Mrs Priest this week.

The dog's owner, Edward McKenna, said: 'I've had Ollie for five years and this is the first time something like this happened. I am really sorry about the little boy.'

The incident happened at about 3pm last Fridayoutside South Bersted Post Office and convenience store at the junction of Gordon Avenue and Highfield Road.

Connor and his mum were making their way home to Ashurst Close from Edward Bryant Primary School in the town centre with two of his friends and their mother.

Connor was on his scooter when they decided to go into the store past Ollie who was standing with Mr McKenner's nephew.

The scooter attracted the dog's attention who, Mrs Priest claims, made a move towards one of Connor's friends before he managed to move away.

The group came out of the shop having bought soft drinks. 'The children went round the dog but the dog had a go at Connor,' said Mrs Priest.

'He should have been on a shorter lead. This dog is vicious. It does not like children and especially children on bikes and scooters and this sort of incident is going to happen again.

'I would have thought a dog is more dangerous if it attacks someone when it is on a lead rather than when it is off one.

'This dog should be muzzled. If it goes for a toddler or a young child, they are not going to be able to get out of the way like a six-year-old can'.

Mr McKenner (80), of Highcroft Crescent, said Ollie had been frightened by the scooter Connor was riding because he had been teased by one of the machines years ago. 'He is allergic to scooters. He was afraid of that, not the boy,' he explained.

Mr McKenner arrived at the scene as soon as he heard about the incident and took home Ollie and his nephew who he had asked to go to the shop with the dog.

'I spoke to the boy and he said he was all right,' said Mr McKenner. But he claimed, before he drove off, he was threatened by Connor's father who also arrived on the scene.