The crazed dog was put down after the savage attack but 11-year-old Adam Middleton needed plastic surgery and faces having skin grafts for his injuries.

The dog attacked the youngster as he played with friends and owner Craig Thompson's two daughters near his home in Stockton Road, Hartlepool.

It escaped from its back yard by jumping over a 5ft high gate.

Thompson was later charged with failing to keep the dog under control and fined by magistrates.

Adam, a St Cuthbert's Primary School pupil, said: "The dog just came running and jumped up. It got my ear and dragged me down and tried to get my legs, and then it got my arm and bit me."

His 42-year-old mum, Janet Middleton, saw the attack from her window and ran to help her son.

She said: "He was screaming and kicking, there was blood all over his head. I told him to be quiet and keep still. He said 'help me mam', but I didn't know what to do."

Mrs Middleton, a waitress, told how she twisted the dog's thick leather collar before it finally released its grip on Adam and was bitten herself.

"Eventually, it must have needed to take a breath because I twisted it that tight and it let go.

"I didn't know what Adam was going to be left like.

The two girls ran to Mrs Middleton's home and called an ambulance.

Adam underwent plastic surgery at the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough and has been told he might need skin grafts to help his right arm grow properly as he gets bigger.

Janet, also mum to Martin, 16, and Georgina, 14, added: "The only thing I wanted was the dog to be put to sleep, so I am pleased it was."

Thompson was fined £200 by Hartlepool magistrates after admitting the animal was dangerously out of control in public.

Alan Davison, prosecuting, said: "His trousers protected him from serious injury to his leg but his arm suffered some nasty injuries.

"By chance, his mother was looking out of a window and saw what was happening. She tried to remove the dog but was bitten on the hand for her trouble."

Thompson, 37, who bought the pedigree pup as a Christmas present for his daughters, had the dog destroyed after the attack.

Barry Gray, representing the double glazing engineer, said the animal had never shown any signs of aggression before and Thompson had been a responsible owner.

Mr Gray said: "Its escape was a freak unforeseen incident and a completely unforeseen change of character in respect of the dog."

He added: "My client and his children were traumatised by this as well as the victim and his mother."

Magistrates did not ban Thompson from owning any other dogs but warned him to be careful over what breed to choose in the future.

Chairman of the bench Keith Kitching said: "This was very unfortunate. The dog caused some very nasty injuries and if he had been any younger or smaller it could have been even worse.

"We have heard some horror stories about this particular breed of dog in the past."

Thompson was also ordered to pay £60 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.