Little boy mauled in Croydon park by dog
A LITTLE boy has had his face mauled by a ferocious Staffordshire Bull Terrier as he stroked it in a park.
Four-year-old Enzo Ribaudo was walking through Ashburton Park with his mum Delisa when they saw the dog and asked the owner if he could stroke it.
But when the youngster reached to touch the dog, it sank its jaws into his face and threw him to the ground.
Now Enzo is recovering from the terrifying attack, which left him needing 44 stitches in his face.
Delisa, 21, said: “His whole face was open, it was terrible.
“The dog was throwing him around like a chewy toy, I've never seen a dog turn like that.
“It grabbed his face and shook him to the ground.
“I managed to kick the dog off him, I don't know where I got the strength from.”
Enzo was left bleeding badly and was rushed to hospital by ambulance.
Delisa said: “He'd been so excited because we were going to visit his new school class and we were only taking a walk through the park, then he was bitten.
“I feel so sorry for him, it looked so painful, his face was all swollen.
“I was screaming, and he was crying a lot, there was so much blood.”
Delisa, from Purley, is worried Enzo will suffer scarring for the rest of his life.
She said: “We've been told he's going to need to see a plastic surgeon, I am worried this could damage his confidence.
“He's not the same as he was, he's become a bit clingy.
“Enzo doesn't like playing on his own now and he's always asking where I am, he doesn't like me leaving his sight.”
The full-time mum said the bloody scene last Tuesday (July 8) is haunting her.
“Every time I shut my eyes I see what the dog did to him, it's so horrible,” she said.
Police were called to the scene and it is believed the dog has been destroyed.
Delisa is furious, however, at the owner's reaction when her son was being attacked.
She said: “When the dog laid into him she just stood there, she didn't move or anything.
“I was shouting at her to get the dog away, but she did nothing.”
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by emma duncan, southfields
Thursday, February 05 2009, 1:22PM
“oh my god delisa so sorry to hear about that, sarah just told me. Hope you and enzo will be ok. xxx”
by Olivia Firmin, London
Wednesday, February 04 2009, 12:00PM
“Delisa, i am so sorry to hear about enzo, jerry told me. Hope you are both ok. Would really like to get in contact with you but i have your old number. Lots of love Olivia xx”
by Jerry, Balham
Sunday, January 25 2009, 5:05AM
“To my son enzo from daddy jerry sorry I was not their”
by mum mictham, MITCHAM
Thursday, July 24 2008, 12:25PM
“i can't belielive the owner done nothing i think they need to be taken to court for neglect and banned from having any animal in there care for life and have it checked out every so often this poor boy will suffer for a longtime they SHOULD SUFFER ASWELL these people need to be stopped and the message to get across that any dog that has been distroyed they should have there name put on alist just like the sex offenders list this might help to know if they have got animals in there care in the future”
by SOrt it out, Croydon
Thursday, July 24 2008, 9:37AM
“@ cool dude, you know where! me so doh! by jove i think i've got it! nod nod!!”
by Sort it out, Croydon
Thursday, July 24 2008, 9:35AM
“Nod nod wink wink! jeeeeeezzzz i'm gettin dizzy here lol! feel like the nodding dog of the adverts oh yes yes yes!!! Well Fache won't have far to travel for his hols, living in a pretty country as France! Mr Angry, Cool dude, anon anon! phew! gonna be a scorcher again here today have a good one!”
by parent, london
Wednesday, July 23 2008, 8:13PM
“i was bitten by a dog when i was younger. Sorry but if any one thats offers to pat your dog you should refuse and explain why because you might know your dog but they cant talk so they attack like a shy little child who hides behind their parent a dog cant express that. Also dogs that have been class as a dangerous dog under the act should have mask over the face and a lead on to protect the dog from being put down if it attacks. Their should be law put in place that any one that owns a dog should be also liable for its actions if attack like a big fine and communty service and not allow to own any pets for so many years and take lessons on to care for pets and what to do in tragic cases. wish the boy a speed recovery”
by ex-pat Croydonian, Sussex
Wednesday, July 23 2008, 2:15PM
“I often see people who are just not in proper control of their dogs. My dog is very good with kids, but even so when a strange child asks to pet him I always take a firm grip on his collar so he knows I'm in charge (the dog's collar, not the child's!) Best wishes for the child's recovery, shame the dog was punished and not the owner.”
by Mr.Angry, Purley
Tuesday, July 22 2008, 7:36PM
“Heh heh..”
by cool dude, you know where
Tuesday, July 22 2008, 6:51PM
“nod nod wink wink yeah wont be long SIO and MR”