Dog bite boy's parents 'positive'

Harvey is now "showing an interest in the things that he loves"

The parents of a "brave little boy" mauled by a Rottweiler say it is too soon to tell how scarred he will be, but they are feeling "really positive".

Harvey Lawrence, two, suffered deep wounds when he was bitten by the dog at his grandmother's home in West Sussex.

He had surgery at St Richard's Hospital in Chichester and needed stitches for cuts to his head, face, neck and body.

Harvey's parents, Clare Carey and Mark Lawrence, have urged dog owners to be aware of the behaviour of Rottweilers.

'Rules on Rottweilers'

Speaking at a press conference, Ms Carey said: "I feel that this type of animal needs very careful handling... muzzling, I think, can only be a positive thing."

Mr Lawrence said there "should be further rules on Rottweilers and the training they should be given before they're allowed to be sold on to general members of the public".

But they said the dog, called Tyler, had never shown aggression before and what happened was a "freak accident".

Harvey was attacked on Tuesday in the front garden of a house in Tudor Close, Middleton-on-Sea, where his paternal grandmother Gwendoline Lawrence lives.

Harvey's parents said their "brave little boy" was recovering well

His mother said the toddler suffered horrific injuries.

"The team in the [hospital] room told me to keep looking at him, but he had a particularly bad cut to his cheek and to his shoulder where it was open, and I lent over him and kept talking to him but there were points where I had to close my eyes."

Harvey, who lives in Westbourne, West Sussex, was saved by 66-year-old Mike Pepper who ran from his home with a hammer when he heard the boy's grandmother screaming nearby.

Ms Carey and Mr Lawrence thanked him for his actions and said they were the reason Harvey "is still with us today".

Mr Lawrence also paid tribute to his mother for her efforts in trying to get the dog off her grandson.

Its owner, understood to be Mrs Lawrence's partner, agreed for it to be put down following the incident.