A TWO-YEAR-OLD boy suffered facial injuries when he was bitten by a Husky-type dog on a charity walk.

Police said the toddler suffered a puncture wound to his face, and a grazed knee, during the incident involving an Alaskan malamute.

He was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment, and was later discharged.

It happened during the first anniversary walk organised to raise money for the Sibes and Sled Dogs Husky Rescue charity.

The Nelson-based charity, which re-homes Husky breeds, was raising funds for the upkeep of the dogs in its care.

The child, who has not been named, had come from Liverpool with his parents. Police said an investigation was under way, but did not know if any further action would be taken.

A police spokesman said: “We were called by a man who said his two-year-old son had been bitten by a dog. The child suffered a puncture wound to his face, and a bruise, and a grazed knee. We are currently speaking to the parties involved to try to ascertain how the incident occurred.”

John Duxbury, who has been running the charity for a year with his partner Christine, said he did not want the incident to overshadow the event which attracted 150 people, and 101 husky and malamute dogs on Sunday.

He said: “The event was very successful, despite an unfort-unate incident involving a child in a pram. All I can say at the moment is that the dog was on a lead and that this was out of character for the dog, It wasn’t running wild, or out of control.”

The dog is currently with its owner.

The walk set off from the Thornton Arms, in Brownside Road, Burnley, and went around Rowley Lake on a circular route.