A five-year-old boy has been left seriously injured in hospital after being attacked by a dog.

The incident happened in the Maple Street area of Ashington, Northumberland on Sunday (October 22) afternoon just before 4.30pm.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene and the boy, five, was taken to hospital at the RVI where he remains at this time. His injuries are serious, but not life-threatening.

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The dog was seized by police and is believed to be a Staffordshire bull terrier, a further assessment will be carried out to confirm its breed.

Northumbria Police say the dog was taken in agreement with its owner.

Officers remain at the scene and an investigation is underway.

A force spokesperson said: “Officers attended the scene where – in agreement with the owner – the dog in question was seized by police in order to protect the public.

“While further assessment will be carried out, officers believe the dog to be a Staffordshire bull terrier breed.

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“Police remain in the area to offer reassurance and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”

In a statement an ambulance service spokesperson added: “We were called to an incident on Maple Street, Ashington, yesterday (22 October) shortly after 4pm. We dispatched one ambulance crew and transported the patient to RVI Hospital.”

It comes just weeks after a fatal dog attack in Shiney Row, Sunderland which saw victim Ian Langley mauled to death by an XL Bully. The 54-year-old, known as Scouse, was walking his Patterdale terrier puppy close to his home when he was attacked.