Grandmother saves boy, seven, in rottweiler attack Published duration 8 August 2011

A seven-year-old boy seriously injured during an attack by a rottweiler on a beach in Essex was saved by his grandmother, police have said.

The boy suffered 20 wounds to his body and arms during the incident on Southend beach on Friday.

He remains in hospital after undergoing two operations.

Police said his grandmother had to pull the dog off the boy as it attacked him while he played in the sea. The dog's owner then ran off, they said.

The man's two rottweiler dogs ran into the water by the Eastern Esplanade, by Chelsea Avenue, and one dog mauled the boy.

'Terrifying ordeal'

During the attack, the boy was forced underwater prompting fears he would drown.

PC Rob Kirk, from Essex Police, said: "The boy's grandmother had to physically pull the dog from the boy for fear it was going to drown the child or continue to bite him to death.

"It must have been a terrifying ordeal for all concerned."

Police said after the grandmother pulled the dog away, both dogs and their owner ran back onto the promenade, then over the road and up Chelsea Avenue towards Southchurch Park.

Mr Kirk added: "He allowed this dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place and a young lad has been left with horrific injuries, both physical and emotional.

"Please tell me who this dog walker is so we can take appropriate action to ensure it does not happen again."

Dogs not permitted

The boy suffered wounds to his torso and arms. He remains at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

The dog walker was described as black and in his 30s.

He was about 6ft 4in (1.9m), slim with short black hair.

He was wearing a blue top and jeans and is believed to live in Southend, police said.