A FATHER devastated by the loss of his son following a savage Rottweiler attack today issued the final photograph of the tragic 11-year-old - taken just minutes before he died - as a warning to other parents.

Kevin Kearney, 49, of Anyon Street, Darwen, lived every parents nightmare seven years ago when he turned off the switch to young David's life support machine.

He was prompted to talk after reading about a Rottweiler attacking five dogs and a woman in Oswaldtwistle last Thursday. The dog has since been put down and police are investigating whether the owner will face criminal charges.

David had been carol singing with friends on Redearth Road, Darwen, two days before Christmas 1995, when he was attacked by two Rottweilers who tore off his scalp, took a chunk out of his arm and mauled his body. He died just days later.

And Kevin suffered another devastating loss in 2001 when David's mother, Margaret, died from a stroke.

He said: "You never get over the loss of a child and I think the attack on David claimed two lives the night it happened. It's something you think you'll never have to go through as a parent but I brought David into this world and I thought it only right I should see him on his way."

"When I first saw him in hospital you could see his face but no scalp and he had to have a leg amputated because they attacked him all over. People need to understand that I don't want to see dogs banned but they need to be permanently muzzled. Owners need to be much more responsible for their dogs.

"After seeing what they did to my boy, even an adult wouldn't have a chance against one of those dogs. They just don't let go. I believe the owner of the dogs committed suicide shortly after it happened."

Kevin has also told how his youngest son James, who turned 11 on April 19, was afraid of being the same age as his older brother in case he followed the same fate.

Kevin said: "He was eight when he asked me if he was going to die at 11. I said 'no' but it's a sad fact that you don't know what's around the corner. I love all my kids and we've been brought closer together as a result of David's death."

Following the attack David was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary and was then transferred to Booth Hall Children's Hospital in Manchester but nothing could be done to save him. He was suffering from massive internal and external injuries. He died 11 days later on January 3, 1996.

Since David's death Kevin has managed to get his life back on track as a result of sheer determination and the support of his other children - Kevin, 25, Gordon, 23, Amanda, 21, Jason, 15 and James, 11.

He said: "I'm doing a computer course at Blackburn College and then I have a range of things lined up. I'd like to learn the guitar, learn to drive and research my family tree.

"I've been knocked side-ways but not down. Keeping busy is the only way you can stop thinking about it. Christmas will never be the same again and we can't celebrate New Year.

"I never had a chance to see what David could aspire to, how many kids he would have and what sort of a man he would turn into.

"Attacks on kids will happen again and I don't want any more parents to go through what I have."