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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Child, 7, mauled by German Shepherd that 'attacked two others' as cops hunt owner

Police have launched an urgent search for the owner of a German Shepherd after a seven-year-old boy was mauled in a horror attack.

Officers and paramedics rushed to the scene in Thornton Heath, London just before 9am on Wednesday following reports of an "aggressive" dog, where a man and a child were found with bite injuries.

Another man later approached emergency services to tell them he had also been attacked by the animal.

The dog has since been seized, while enquiries continued on Thursday to try and locate the owner. None of the injuries to the victims were life threatening, police have confirmed.

Police said the dog involved had been seized and 'appeared to be a German shepherd breed' (stock image) (Getty Images)

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told The Mirror: "Police were called at 08:52hrs on Wednesday, 31 May to reports of a man and a child attacked by an aggressive dog at Broughton Road, Thornton Heath.

"Officers and London Ambulance Service attended.

"At the scene a seven-year-old boy and an adult male were found with bite injuries.

"While at the scene, officers were approached by another man who had also been attacked by the dog.

"None of their injuries were life threatening.

The dog, which appeared to be a German shepherd breed, was seized by officers and will be assessed.

"Enquiries are underway to identify and locate the owner of the dog."

This latest incident comes during The Mirror's the Time For Action on Danger Dogs campaign, as Brits continue to be killed or seriously injured in vicious dog attacks.

There have been 15 fatal dog attacks in the UK in the past 18 months, with five of the victims being children.

Last night, Labour leader Keir Starmer vowed to stamp out the sale of illegal dog breeds.

Backing the campaign on dangerous dogs, he said he would look at how the Dangerous Dogs Act can be toughened if he gets into No10.

Kier said existing laws must also be tightened to ensure illegal breeds are not being sold online.

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