Fury over police comments about savage dog attack in Batley

Yusuf Mayet was attacked by a dog which left him needing two major surgeries.

Steve Bennett used a plank of wood to get a Japanese Akita dog off Yusuf Mayet, after it dragged him to the floor and ripped a chunk out of his arm.

The 11-year-old has been left scarred for life after needing two major surgeries.

Police said the attack, near Jessop Park in Batley, was a “freak accident” and the dog had been put down.

But Yusuf’s family and Mr Bennett were outraged by the comments and claimed the dog had attacked neighbours in the same street.

Mr Bennett, of Park Croft, Batley, said: “It was like something out of a horror film.

“A dog does not do something like that for it just to be called a freak accident.

“We have been told by our neighbours it had gone for people before. The dog was clearly out of control.”

Yusuf’s family visited Mr Bennett with chocolates and a card to thank him for saving the schoolboy’s life.

Dad Akil said the attack, which happened on Wednesday July 23, could have killed his son.

“It can’t be a freak accident once a dog of that size goes and attacks someone,” he said.

“The onus was on the owner to stop it from happening.”

Insp Neil Money of the Batley, Birstall and Birkenshaw Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Clearly this incident has caused concern among residents in the local community, as would any incident where a young child is injured.

“As a result, I have asked my officers to review the circumstances of what took place.

“As previously stated, the dog in the case was voluntarily destroyed by its owner.”