Boy, 6, rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being mauled in horror dog attack

Officers attended the scene shortly before 4.30pm on Sunday and and the dog was seized.

North East Ambulance Service dispatched one ambulance crew and transported the child to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle.

The young boy is believed to have sustained injuries which are "serious but non-life-threatening".

Northumbria Police said officers will remain in the area as enquiries into the incident continue.

A spokesperson said: "Shortly before 4.30pm yesterday (Sunday), police received a report that a dog had injured a child in the Maple Street area of Ashington.

"A six-year-old boy was taken to hospital where he currently remains for treatment. His injuries are described as serious but non-life-threatening.

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"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.

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

It comes after a young child’s leg was almost amputated after an XL Bully dog attacked and "mauled" a toddler.

The 20-month-old’s family feared his leg would have to be removed to save him after the out-of-control dog "latched on" to his thigh.

His mother used herself as a shield to try and save her child during the attack in Greenwich on Monday.

After a series of incidents, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced last month that the breed would be banned by the end of the year.