THE father of a seven-year-old schoolboy savaged by a pack of dogs today praised a quick-thinking hero who could have saved his son Sam's life.

Jeff Leverett spoke out to publicly thank Good Samaritan Robert Ashworth as Sam recovered in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.

The child received horrific injuries when he was attacked by about six dogs, including Staffordshire Bull Terriers, a Jack Russell and German Shepherd Labrador cross, as he walked to the shops on Saturday. Police said the ordeal lasted for almost five minutes before Mr Ashworth, of Tunnel Street, Burnley, beat off the dogs with a lead and dived on top of Sam to safeguard him from further attack before pulling him to safety. Mr Leverett, of Broughton Street, Burnley, is now planning to thank Mr Ashworth personally for his actions.

Mr Leverett said: "He is lucky to be alive to be honest and he would have been killed if it hadn't been for the actions of the man who walked past and saw what was happening. He was a real hero and saved Sam's life.

"When the police told me what had happened I couldn't believe that a gang of dogs had attacked him. He was in a very bad way and was covered in injuries from head to toe. He'll need some plastic surgery to put it right."

A pupil at Burnley's Bradshaw Primary School, Sam has already undergone two operations following the attack, including a second to repair his leg, arm and backside wounds. His mother Angela was by his bedside.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident and said seven dogs had been seized from a nearby address and impounded.

They are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which took place at about 11.20am on Saturday and said they are considering whether any charges should be brought against the dog owners under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Anyone with information should call Burnley Police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.