Owners urged to keep dogs under restraint (From Western Telegraph)

Owners urged to keep dogs under restraint

10:20am Saturday 4th August 2012 in Milford Haven

A MILFORD Haven couple are urging dog owners to ensure their pets are securely contained after their young son was bitten by a German Shepherd on a public footpath last week.

Andrew John, 11, was walking along a footpath near his home in Central Court with a friend last Tuesday, just before 6pm, when the dog escaped through a garden gate and bit him on the hip.

His parents Karen and Phil John said they ran to the front door on hearing Andrew’s screams.

Karen said: “I have never heard him scream like that before – he was in so much shock and pain.”

Andrew suffered bruising and cuts to his hip in the attack and his father Phil said he has been angered by the situation.

“It could have ripped his leg off. It is just lucky it didn’t happen to a younger child, a two or three year-old, or the injuries could have been even worse,” he said.

Andrew, a purple belt in karate, has now had to p o s t p o n e his brown belt exam because of the injuries he sustained.

“He can’t do anything for a few weeks and he is disappointed,” said Phil.

The couple are urging dog owners to ensure their gardens are secure to prevent another incident like this happening again.

A Dyfed-Powys police spokesman said: “Police have visited the child’s family and the owner of the dog.

The boy did not require hospital treatment and no further action will be taken at this time.”