GRIEVING father Kevin Kearney has opened his heart and spoken out against the banning of rottweilers - the dogs that fatally savaged his son.

Eleven-year-old David Kearney, of Broad Gate, Darwen, died 11 days after being horrifically mauled in the back yard of a house on Redearth Road, Darwen. He had climbed in to retrieve a ball.

His funeral was taking place today.

Mr Kearney, who travelled up from Norwich to be at his son's bedside, was joining mourners for a service at St James's Church this afternoon.

He spoke of his feelings about the rottweiler breed, branded by some as devil dogs, and the people who own them.

"I don't want rottweilers banned or killed - I just want them controlled," Mr Kearney said.

"In a couple of years I don't want to hear about another child going through what David went through.

"Common sense tells you that these dogs should be muzzled. "The laws controlling them should be stricter but it is also true to say that owners can sometimes be more irresponsible and dangerous than their dogs."

Kevin said the family were still in shock following David's death at Booth Hall Children's Hospital, Manchester.

But he said he did not feel vengeful or have any anger towards Kevin Turner, the owner of the two dogs responsible for the attack.

Police have prepared a report into the incident and the Crown Prosecution Service is considering whether to bring any charges.

Mr Kearney added: "I don't have any feelings about him. It is just grief at the moment. Anger may come later, I don't know."

A large number of mourners were expected at the funeral to pay their last respects to David.

Mr Kearney added: "I don't know how we will get through the day but David's mother Margaret and I have been given a lot of support and we will try to be brave."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.