THE distraught parents of a young boy who was mauled by a dog on Southampton Common have pleaded for the public to help find the dangerous animal before it strikes again.

Tearful Sally and Bryan Thompson fear a child could be killed if the Staffordshire bull terrier type dog attacks once more.

Last night the couple told the Daily Echo how they were in hospital giving birth to their baby daughter Claire when their four-year-old son Jordan’s face was cut to the bone as he played with his sister’s godmother.

The dog sank its teeth into Jordan’s eyebrow chipping a bone and leaving four claw marks beneath his eye.

Sally and Bryan told how they faced an agonising wait during surgery after doctors said their son might need a skin graft, or even lose his eyesight.

But remarkably he has escaped with just a handful of stitches.

Holding onto her newborn baby, mum-of-four Sally, 34, said: “When I found out what happened I broke down. I was absolutely hysterical.

I wanted to be with Jordan but I had to be in the maternity ward with Claire. I felt helpless. It is every parent’s worst nightmare.

“That night I couldn’t sleep, all sorts were running through my mind. When I saw him the next day, I threw my arms around him. He gave little Claire a kiss and a cuddle and said ‘love you sister’.

She added: “We are lucky he is here with us. This has really scared me especially when you think what those dogs can do to people.

“Please get in touch and help find this dog. It needs to be put down, I don’t want anyone else to get hurt. It might save a life.”

Their family friend had taken Jordan, his twin brother Mark and their 18- month-old sister Sarah to play when Jordan ran ahead.

But a dog suddenly lunged at him through the bushes, sinking its teeth and claws into him before running off.

As he turned round blood was on his face and he began screaming in terror.

Jordan was taken to S o u t h a m p t o n General Hospital where he had surgery the next day.

Bryan, 46, said: “When I got that call my heart sank.

When I got to hospital I held him really tight in my arms. I couldn’t cry because I knew I had to be strong for Jordan and strong for Sally and Claire.”

Sally and Bryan hope their son, who was born prematurely at just 2lb 9oz and underwent serious operations shortly after, will overcome the trauma.

Bryan added: “I think we have a guardian angel. He is a miracle baby and a very brave little boy. Jordan keeps saying ‘naughty dog’ he says ‘dad look, mum look, teacher look – getting better’ pointing to his face.”

• The dog was described as “brindle”

coloured with a flash of white on its back by its tail. Anyone with information about the attack or the dog’s whereabouts should call Portswood Police Station on 101.