A 10-YEAR-OLD boy was taken to hospital after being mauled by a dog, police said.

The youngster was bitten on the thigh by a dog, which was tied up outside the Yung’s Fish and Chips Chinese takeaway, in Highfield Street, Darwen.

The dog bit the child sometime between 6pm and 6.30pm on Tuesday, November 28, police said.

The boy ended up having to have surgery at Royal Preston Hospital.

Residents on Highfield Street said the dog involved was a white and black bull mastiff which has been ‘terrorising people for two years’.

They said the dog had ‘bit a number of children’ and was ‘dangerous’ and called for it to be ‘put down’.

One resident said: “It’s a big white and black bull mastiff which has bit quite a few children.

“It goes in Ashton Park and its owner always ties up it outside the Chinese.

“The owner has tied up on the lead but he never warns people about it or controls it properly.

“One of our friends got bit by it and we saw the Facebook appeal by Blackburn and Darwen Police and have contacted them to report this.

“We want to help the family of this boy get justice as it’s not on and a dog shouldn’t be attacking children.

“It’s a dangerous dog and we feel it should be put down.

Another resident said: “This is a dangerous big white dog that has bit a number of people, including children.

“It needs putting down as it’s not safe.

“I heard about what happened to the child the other night and I just hope he’s okay."

A police spokesman said: “The appeal relates to a child who was bitten by a dog who was tied up outside a Chinese takeaway.

“The dog, an unknown breed, bit the 10 year old boy’s thigh at sometime between 6 and 6:30pm on Tuesday, November 28.

“The boy ended up having to have surgery to his leg at Royal Preston Hospital.”

The incident comes after an 11-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after being bitten by a dog in June.

Police said the child was bitten by his family’s American Bulldog at a house in Commercial Street, Rishton.

The boy suffered puncture wounds to his arms, chest and underarms but his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Officers are now appealing for people with information to come forward.

They should contact PC Mansfield on 101 quoting the reference number LC-20171129-0007.