Schoolboy loses lip in dog attack

Skin from John's leg was grafted onto his lip in a two-hour operation

A nine-year-old boy's top lip was ripped off when his pet dog tried to snatch a biscuit out of his mouth.

John Henderson needed a skin graft after the Staffordshire bull cross Simba attacked him at his home in North Shields, North Tyneside.

Parents Russell and Muriel have had the dog, which the family raised from a puppy, destroyed and have given away another Staffordshire bull terrier.

John must now wait six weeks before the extent of the damage is known.

The dog bit his lip and held on to it. He was just hanging on, and that is when he pulled the skin away Muriel Henderson

Mrs Henderson said she would never have another dog in the house following the incident on 4 March.

She said: "It was horrible - our worst nightmare. I was in the kitchen with John and he asked if he could have a biscuit.

"He was stroking Simba, who was on the bench, then the dog went for it as John was eating it.

Skin graft

"The dog bit his lip and held on to it. He was just hanging on, and that is when he pulled the skin away.

"John was screaming and was trying to feel his mouth."

The schoolboy underwent a two-hour skin graft from his leg at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, and his mother believes he will need at least two more operations.

Staffordshire bull terriers are not one of the breeds subject to ownership or breeding restrictions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.