A two-year-old boy was left with serious facial injuries after being mauled by a dog in the beer garden of The Wulstan pub in Wolstanton, North Staffordshire, on July 15, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 3:06 pm, prompting an immediate response from emergency services.
Witness Describes Horrific Scene
Regular patron Philip Preece, 63, was present during the attack and described the aftermath as 'absolutely horrific.' He recalled seeing the mother rush into the pub carrying her injured son, who was covered in blood. 'You couldn't make out any of his facial features. He was covered in blood. His mum was too. So much was gushing out,' Preece said.
Preece, who lives in Wolstanton, noted that the dog, which he believed to be a bulldog breed, had not been on a lead before the attack but was quickly leashed afterward. He expressed shock that the child, who had been enjoying chicken nuggets and chips while playing with plastic dinosaurs, was suddenly the victim of such a violent assault.
Details of the Attack
The toddler had been with his mother and was reportedly heading inside to use a sweet machine when the dog attacked. 'He's only a baby. The dog ragged him up and down after biting his face. If the dog had gone a bit lower, it could have ended up biting the boy's throat,' Preece added. The witness praised the rapid response of paramedics, who arrived quickly to transport the child to Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Emergency Response and Investigation
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed: 'We were called following reports a child had been bitten by a dog. An ambulance and a paramedic officer responded to the scene. The boy was given treatment for his serious injuries before being conveyed to Royal Stoke University Hospital for further emergency care.'
Staffordshire Police have launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses. A police spokesman stated: 'We were called to The Wulstan following reports that a child had been bitten by a dog. Officers attended the scene alongside colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service. The child was taken to hospital with facial injuries. He has since been discharged. Our investigation is ongoing.'
Appeal for Information
Anyone with information is urged to contact Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 592 of 15 July, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. The community has expressed its support for the toddler and his family, hoping for a full recovery.
