Terrier threw my son around like a chewy toy

A boy of four had his face badly mauled by a Staffordshire bull terrier when he tried to pet the animal in a park.

Enzo Ribaudo, of Purley, was attacked after he reached out to touch the dog in Ashburton Park, Croydon. The twoyearold animal sank its jaws into his face and threw him to the ground.

He needed 44 stitches in one side of his face and will be scarred for the rest of his life after last month's incident. He may also need skin grafts.

Enzo's mother Delisa said: "His whole face was open. The dog was throwing him around like a chewy toy. I've never seen a dog turn like that."

No charges have yet been made against the owner, who voluntarily had the dog put down, police said.