9 Year Old Attacked By Dogs In Leeds

5 September 2011, 13:39 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police want to track down the owner of 2 dogs who attacked a 9 year old boy in Leeds.

The boy, from Rothwell, suffered serious injuries in the attack in Middleton woods yesterday.

He was playing with a 13-year-old friend on a makeshift swing at around 3.20pm as a man walked two dogs nearby.

The dogs, which were not on leads, ran towards the boy and attacked him. The man intervened to stop the dogs attacking the boy but then walked off out of the woods and is not believed to have contacted the emergency services.

The boy suffered a broken wrist and superficial injuries to his head and face, and was treated at Leeds General Infirmary before being discharged.

Officers are appealing to speak to anyone who has information about the incident, and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the man in the area yesterday or recently.

The man is described as white, in his thirties, with a bald head, and around 5'10" tall. He wore a light blue polo shirt, light blue jeans and white Nike trainers.

The dogs are both described as being similar to Staffordshire Bull Terriers. One of the dogs is described as black and white and quite large, with the other described as being small and black.

Acting Detective Inspector Richard Stead, of City and Holbeck CID, said:

'This is a very worrying incident where a young boy has suffered serious injuries. On face value the actions of the man walking the dogs appear to be very callous, as he has not tried to get help.

'I would encourage anyone who believes they can identify the man, or has information which can assist our enquiries, to come forward. I would also appeal to the man to come forward and give us his version of events as soon as possible.'