A young schoolboy has been left covered in stitches after being mauled by his neighbour’s dog – when he climbed over their fence to grab his ball.

Rhys Jones, 6, was playing with a friend in Carmarthen when his ball went into a neighbouring garden.

As he went to retrieve the ball, a dog – thought to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier – lunged at him, biting him on the arms and legs.

Rhys Jones, 6, was playing with a friend in Carmarthen when his ball went into a neighbouring garden (Picture: Media Wales)

The ordeal only stopped when another dog attacked the terrier. Rhys was taken to hospital where he was found to have an infected bite in his foot and broken bones.




In total, he spent five days in a hospital bed and is now too frightened to look at his own injuries.

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His grandfather Anthony Rowlands said it was lucky his grandson is still alive.

He said: ‘One of my daughters was watching Rhys after school at her home.

‘I had just finished work and all of a sudden my daughter called in a panic to say that Rhys was on his way to hospital.

‘I was absolutely mortified and went straight there. When I walked into the room I held Rhys. His eyes were going white. The doctor said it was because he was so scared.’

Rhys has since undergone an operation on his foot and has to wear a protective boot for around six weeks following the incident, which happened on the afternoon of Monday, April 1.

The grandfather added: ‘That other dog saved him, without a doubt.

The ordeal only stopped when another dog attacked the terrier (Picture: Media Wales)

Rhys was taken to hospital where he was found to have an infected bite in his foot and broken bones (Picture: Media Wales)

In total, he spent five days in a hospital bed and is now too frightened to look at his own injuries (Picture: Media Wales)

As well as the clear physical scars sustained in the attack, what might be more difficult to see and more difficult to cure are the mental scars, which have left the schoolboy ‘petrified’ (Picture: Media Wales)

‘He is such a loving and caring little boy and he loves animals’ (Picture: Media Wales)

‘That dog knew Rhys because he’d seen him plenty of times before. Rhys was bitten a number of times before the other dog reacted, and I believe, hand on heart, that if that hadn’t happened then Rhys would not be here now.

‘A man who lived next door then picked Rhys up and carried him into the kitchen, but he was bleeding everywhere.’

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As well as the clear physical scars sustained in the attack, what might be more difficult to see and more difficult to cure are the mental scars, which have left the schoolboy ‘petrified’.

‘Rhys grew up with a dog, so he’s used to being around them all the time,’ added Mr Rowlands.

‘He’s never been afraid of dogs or anything. But, the other day, when he saw a neighbour’s dog – only a small, gentle dog – he screamed.

‘He’s also too frightened to look at his own foot. When I was giving him a cuddle in the hospital, he kept asking “why did the dog bite me?” He’s petrified.

‘He is such a loving and caring little boy and he loves animals.

‘That’s why had no issue going into the garden to get the ball back. Right now, he’s very frightened; we can only hope that the long-term effects won’t be too damaging.’