A TODDLER was recovering from surgery to his face today after being attacked by a neighbour's pit bull-Staffordshire terrier cross.

Two-year-old Ryan Flynn is thought to have angered the dog when he accidentally stepped on his paw.

The youngster, of Meadow Gate, Darwen, was last night undergoing surgery at Blackburn Royal Infirmary after being bitten around his mouth.

He has had several stitches in his lips and may be released later today.

The dog's owner, Thomas McClung, 18, of Two Gates Walk, took the dog to the police station and it was later destroyed.

Ryan was playing with friends when the attack happened in a garden. His mother, Andrea, said: "Someone came running to the house carrying Ryan and saying he'd been attacked by a dog. He had blood all over his face and was in a terrible mess. All around his mouth has been bitten."

Owner Mr McClung said he had had the two-year-old dog, called Reefer, for four months.

He said: "He was harmless really. A big softie. He'd never done anything like this before.

"The little lad stepped on his paw and the dog snapped at him once then just sat down in the garden and was licking his paw.

"The boy's face was covered in blood and we called an ambulance for him straight away.

"I'm upset Reefer had to be put down. He was a great dog who loved playing with kids."

Sergeant Phil Nowland said: "The boy received serious injuries to his face and the dog had now been destroyed.

"We do not yet know if action will be taken against the owner as our investigations are still on-going."

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