Mum’s dog attack anger

The scar left by the attack

A mum is calling for harsher dog controls in parks after her son was mauled in Werneth Park.

Shamin Zaman (46) said her eight-year-old son needed surgery after being attacked.

The pair were visiting the park just after 6pm and were in the car park when they spotted a man with a German shepherd dog.

Seconds later, the dog had raced over and pounced on Mrs Zaman before mauling her son.

The mum-of-three from Werneth said: “It was terrifying.

“I could see the dog racing towards me and before I knew it I was on the ground and it had torn my coat and top before turning on my son. All I could hear was him screaming “Mum, mum” and there was blood everywhere.

“The owner raced over and had to punch the dog on the head a few times to get it off my son before they left the park.”

Mrs Zaman’s son was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital and later moved to Manchester Children’s Hospital for surgery for a wound to his upper right thigh.

He has been on crutches since the incident on March 22, and has been forced to miss school while he recuperates.

Mrs Zaman, who works for the housing department at Oldham Council, is now calling for specific times for dog owners to walk their pets in parks.

She said: “My son won’t talk about what happened and hasn’t really been out of the house since.

“He can’t take part in his favourite karate lessons or go to school but his teachers at Corpus Christi Primary in Chadderton have been brilliant.

“I can’t bear to think about what would have happened if the owner had arrived later.

“There needs to be more enforcement on dogs in parks.

“There should be time limits for people to walk dogs in parks, so families with children can enjoy the facilities without fear.

“Dog attacks are happening too often and children need to be protected.”