A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy could be left scarred for life after being attacked by a dog while he was inside a car.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Damian Hart needed stitches to wounds under his left eye and on his lip following the attack by a heeler-type dog in January.

The magistrates made a destruction order on the dog after being told that it had previously bitten a postman and also its owner, 63-year-old George Cumberland.

After the hearing, Cumberland said he accepted it had to be put down.

"He has been my best pal for the last eight years and it will break my heart to see him go," he said. "I have had him since he was a puppy.

"I don't think the magistrates had much choice but I live on my own and I will miss him."

Cumberland, of Lilac Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to keeping a dog dangerously out of control.

As well as the destruction order, the magistrates imposed a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered Cumberland to pay £300 compensation to the boy.

Teresa Feely, prosecuting, said Cumberland had given the boy and his mother a lift to Roe Lee School in his car.

"For no apparent reason and without provocation, the dog set on the boy and sank its teeth into his face," said Miss Feely.

"It caused quite a serious injury and he received urgent medical treatment at Blackburn Royal Infirmary."

When interviewed Cumberland admitted that the dog had bitten him on numerous occasions.

He said he did not see the incident but thought the boy had provoked the dog.

Elizabeth Parker, defending, said Cumberland had been doing the boy's mother a favour by giving them a lift to nursery. The favour backfired and he is now aware that he risks losing Bob who he is very attached to," said Miss Parker.

"The dog was on the rear parcel shelf and, while my client didn't see the incident, he heard the mother say: 'Leave the dog alone and sit down.'"