A five-year-old boy has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after being mauled by a dog in Co Antrim.
The attack happened at Carniny Primary School on the outskirts of Ballymena. The boy was taken to hospital in Belfast where his condition has been described as serious.
It is understood the dog was being shown to pupils in the school playground this morning. Four adults were present at the time of the attack. The boy suffered facial injuries and has been taken to the Ulster Hospital for treatment.
Raymond Ross, principal of Carniny Primary School, said staff had been left distressed by the incident.
“The dog was in a very controlled position. A number of children had the opportunity to stroke the dog and then suddenly the dog turned on the little child, as if it flicked its head to one side and caught the child in the face,” he told the BBC.
A spokeswoman for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust said the family had requested no publicity.
Meanwhile, a statement from the school said the matter was being investigated by the relevant authorities.
“We can confirm an incident took place this morning involving a pupil and a dog. The school staff have found the incident to be very distressing. Our thoughts are with the child and his family.”
Dog Ballymena Borough Council confirmed the dog had been destroyed.
A statement said: “Our thoughts are with the child and his family at this distressing time.
“A representative from Environmental Health attended the school following the incident and, having liaised with those involved, instigated appropriate actions to seize the dog.
“The dog has now been put down.
“Ballymena Borough Council is working alongside all appropriate organisations to carry out a full investigation.”
Ian Paisley, DUP MP for North Antrim, described the dog attack as shocking.
He said: “It is utterly shocking and very traumatic for the young boy. It shows that we have to be very vigilant when it comes to making sure that dogs are properly tethered at all times.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the boy and his family.”
PA