By Doncaster boy sustains horrific injuries in dog attack
A young Doncaster boy, John Henry Dundas, has been forced to use a wheelchair after sustaining horrific injuries in a dog attack on Essex Avenue in Intake, Doncaster.
The young Rugby fan is set to face years of painful operations as well as mental suffering caused by the incident which the community believe has not been dealt with properly.
The attack was made by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier on Wednesday 6 October which left the 10-year-old covered in blood with huge, gaping wounds on his calf.
John Henry’s injuries also prevent him from playing his much-loved sport, Rugby, with Bentley ARLFC.
John Henry’s mother, Natasha Dundas, said: “He can’t sleep, he keeps having nightmares.”
She added: “He has been in so much pain and we don’t know if he will be left with a permanent limp.”
Natasha launched a petition to encourage South Yorkshire Police to do more with regards to the incident.
Natasha Dundas claims that the dog has done immense damage not only to her son, but to others as well.
On her petition, she wrote: “No witness statements have been taken from my son, myself or independent [witnesses] from the scene.
“This dog was reported for biting a child a year ago and it has bitten other people.”
She added: “I was contacted on [Monday 18 October] to say they are not willing to look into this any further and the dog will be [released] back to the family.”
The community have reportedly not responded well to this revelation.
A spokesperson for the community said: “As a community, we are scared for our children and ourselves and concerned that the evidence available has not [led] to any order being imposed on this dog to protect the public!”
The petition’s aim is to get the dog put down as it may attack more children.
Local football club Sandall Beat JFC has also taken notice of the petition and shared their support after claiming to witness the dog being taught to sink its teeth into a rope on one of their pitches.
In a Facebook statement, a spokesperson for the club said: “We are asking people to sign and share this petition as we feel it’s in the best interest of the public and our own children at the club as we have already had an issue with said dog and owner.”
They added: “There’s no way this dog should be handed back, next time it could be someone’s life.
“Police need and must do more in the interest of public safety.”
A spokesperson for SYP said: “Police were called at around 8:30pm on 6 October to reports that a child had been bitten by a dog in Essex Avenue, Doncaster.
“The victim, a 10-year-old boy, suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital via ambulance.
“Officers attended the scene and the dog was seized.
“A man was interviewed under caution in connection to the incident.
“Officers have now exhausted all possible lines of enquiry into the circumstances surrounding this incident, but any new information can be passed to police by calling 101, quoting incident number 866 of 6 October.”
(Photos: Natasha Dundas)
