The mother of an Adelaide northern suburbs boy mauled by a neighbour's dog is calling for councils to act quicker to protect the public from dangerous animals.

The mum told 9News the Rottweiler-cross - which is still with its owners - should have already been destroyed.

Cameron Smith, 10, suffered injuries so severe, he needed surgery at the Women's and Children's Hospital.

Adelaide boy Cameron Smith has had to have surgery after a Rottweiler-cross attacked him while he was playing at a neighbour's home. (9News)

Cameron said the dog attacked him after it was let out of its Daveron Park yard.

"He latched onto me and then pulled me on to the ground and started shaking his head," he said.

The dog, which attacked him over the weekend, belongs to a neighbour of his grandmother.

It had yet to be seized by council inspectors today, prompting a call for action from Cameron's mother.

Cameron said the dog latched onto him and wouldn't let go, despite him kicking it repeatedly. (Supplied)

"I think dangerous dogs that attack kids should be put down and there shouldn't be any questions about it, " she said.

Cameron, who had been playing at the dog owner's home when it attacked, said he was forced to fight the animal off.

"When it kept on biting me I kicked him, because yeah I tried to get him off my arm," he said.

The attack has since seen Cameron's mother plead for local councils to act faster to protect people from deadly or dangerous pets. (9News)

"I was in shock and I couldn't feel my fingers."

His mother then rushed him to hospital minutes later.

"When he was in the car he was scared. He did say to me, 'mum am I going to die?'," she said.