The child was taken to hospital with arm and head injuries after the attack in Stockton. These were not reported to be life threatening
A toddler has been rushed to hospital after being mauled by a dog in a horror attack at a birthday party. Police raced to a home in the Hardwick area of Stockton, County Durham today after receiving reports of a dog attack.
The child was taken to hospital with arm and head injuries, though these were not reported to be life threatening.
Officers meanwhile removed the dog and took it a specialist kennel. Officers remained at the scene on Saturday evening as they carried out their enquiries. The breed of the dog has not yet been confirmed, though some witnesses described it as a pitbull cross.
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One passerby said the dog had bitten the child’s arm and scalp, and added: “There were loads of emergency services as I was walking past, and the bairn [child] was taken to hospital.”
A statement from Cleveland Police said: “Police were called to a property on Chopwell Close in Hardwick, Stockton this afternoon (Saturday 19th April) after it was reported that a child had been attacked by a dog.
“Officers attended the scene and secured the dog safely, without any harm to the animal, and removed it from the premises. The dog has been taken to specialist dog kennels.
“The child has been taken to hospital for treatment for arm and head injuries (not life threatening).
“Police remain at the scene of the incident whilst enquiries continue.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101 quoting 069181.”
A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said: “We were called to a person injured in the Hardwick area of Stockton at 12.33pm this afternoon. No resources were required as the patient made their own way to hospital.”
Dog attacks on the rise
It comes after a new interactive map revealed the locations across the UK where fatal attacks by dangerous dogs have taken place in the last five years.
Two people have been killed already this year in savage attacks by XL Bully dogs, bringing the number of fatal attacks since 2020 to 31.In February, 19-year-old Morgan Dorsett from Shropshire died after being attacked by an XL Bully at a home in Bristol. A neighbour described seeing a blood-soaked woman “hysterically screaming” and “crying” after the attack.
The month after, John McColl, 84, died after being set upon by an XL Bully while walking down the street in Warrington.
The grandad was attacked in February and spent a month in hospital before dying of his injuries on March 30.
A recent Freedom of Information request by the BBC also showed that dog attack incidents have risen in all areas of England and Wales since 2020 – and in some areas by as much as 50%
Police forces recorded 32,568 offences nationwide in 2024, a a 4% increase on 2023’s total of 31,398.
