Callum Winfield, 3, was playing with a Staffordshire bull terrier cross in the back yard of his grandmother's home in Thames Road last week when the dog turned and attacked him.

The boy was lucky to escape from the attack after suffering bites to his body, arm and neck but mum, Stacey Scarborough, is worried the ordeal could have a lasting effect on her child.

Stacey, who lives with Callum at Gannett Close, said: "His bite marks are doing okay but he has changed in himself. He never used to be so aggressive but now he just wants to hit and headbutt things.

"He never used to be like that until he was bitten by the dog.

"He used to smile all the time but now he doesn't."

Callum is recovering well after leaving hospital last Friday (Aug 1) but doctors say the attack will leave him scarred for life.

Stacey said: "The doctors said there is going to be some big scars. The one on his elbow will be three or four inches long.

"He will have three big scars on his back, one on his chest and a big one on his neck."

Stacey was not at Thames Road when the attack happened but received a phone call from Callum's grandmother whilst the attack was still going on.

Stacey said: "I got the phone call while the dog still had hold of him so I quickly ran round there. I must have got there in less than a minute.

"It was not a nice experience. The doctors said that if the attack lasted a few more seconds he would have been killed."


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