Boy, 3, survives mauling by terriers

A boy aged three had a toe bitten off and needed 40 stitches to his face and body after being mauled by two Staffordshire bull terrier puppies, his family said yesterday.

Connor Davies was only saved from death when the dogs were driven away by a neighbour armed with a crowbar, his father, Darren, said. The puppies attacked Connor as he played outside his grandmother's house in New Denham, Buckinghamshire with his sister, Jordan, 5.

Connor underwent 13 hours of surgery following last Friday's attack, not returning home to be with his mother Shelley, 27, until Thursday.

Doctors have said that Connor may never be able to run or do gymnastics at school.

Thames Valley Police have begun an investigation into the attack.

And under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1989, magistrates can order dogs to be destroyed if owners do not keep them under strict control.