The father of a three-year-old boy who was brutally attacked by a dog in a primary school playground has pleaded with the animal’s owner to come forward.
Basam Hafiz’s three-year-old son was playing with the Pennington Primary School team when a “loose” dog ripped the skin off his cheek and mouth around 4.30pm on Wednesday.
Emergency services were called to Butler Avenue in Adelaide’s western suburbs to treat the young man before he was taken to Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
He underwent surgery over fears his facial injuries could leave permanent scars.
A ‘loose dog’ ripped the skin off the three-year-old’s cheek and mouth around 4.30pm on Wednesday.
“I was pretty upset and I’m still pretty upset because if you look at him, it’s half his face and he’s just a kid,” Hafiz said.
‘I’ve seen a photo of the dog. He’s just a small dog but (my boy is) just a baby too.
“I don’t know what to tell him,” said the distraught father. 7news.
‘How can you just run away? A little boy (is hurt).’
Witnesses revealed that the dog was not leashed when the incident occurred.
Basam Hafiz, the boy’s father, is “quite upset” and has asked the dog’s owner to come forward.
The attack occurred in the playground of Pennington Primary School in Adelaide’s western suburbs.
His owner quickly took him away.
A police spokesman said the dog and its owner had left the area before emergency services arrived.
“Investigations are ongoing with Charles Sturt City Council inspectors,” they added.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.