Baby boy mauled by dog in a park in Sefton as he played on the swings

A baby boy was mauled by a dog in Marion Gardens, a park just off Marion Square in Netherton and was rushed to hospital by air ambulance.

The dog has since been seized by the authorities and its owner will be quizzed by police.

Emergency services, including a number of police cars and an air ambulance, were called to the scene at around 1.25pm this afternoon, Sunday 7th February.

Officers said the 17-month-old little boy suffered a leg injury after being bitten by the dog.

A Merseyside police spokesperson said: "Emergency services were called to reports that a baby had been attacked by a dog.”

"At around 1.25pm police received reports that a 17-month-old baby boy was bitten on the leg by a dog.”

"The baby has been taken to hospital by air ambulance to be treated for a non-life threatening leg injury.”

"The dog has been seized and its owner will be questioned by police. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing."

Anyone with information is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter, 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook, call 101 or the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK anonymously, on 0800 555 111, with reference 21000082136.