Boy, 4, left in hospital after being mauled by pitbull as hunt launched for beast’s owner

A FOUR-year-old boy has been left needing treatment in hospital after he was mauled by a pitbull, as cops launch a hunt for the owner.

Police were called at 6.18pm on September 11 to reports of a youngster having been bitten by a dog in Hermit Road Park, East London.

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A boy has been mauled by a pitbull – not the dog shown (file photo)[/caption]

The boy is said to have been approached by a grey-coloured pitbull-type dog that bit him on the leg.

The boy’s dad is said to have tried to pull the dog off his son and the dog also tried to bite him, according to the cops.

The dog’s owner is thought to have eventually approached and called the pooch off before fleeing the scene.

The boy was taken by ambulance to an East London hospital where his condition is not thought to be life threatening.

Police are currently hunting the owner of the grey pitbull.

Anyone who has information or has footage of the incident is urged to contact the Metropolitan Police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote 6646/11Sep.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website Crimestoppers-uk.org.