An eight-year-old boy was on Friday afternoon attacked by a dog, believed to belong to his neighbour, while playing soccer with a friend on Chain Street in Coniston, KZN.

Prem Balram, the spokesperson for Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), said they received a call for assistance just before 16:30.

On arrival, Balram said it was established that two boys were playing soccer on the road when the Staffordshire terrier dog charged at one of them, reportedly after its owner opened the driveway gate.

“The boy fell when he was bitten on his right arm. Residents screamed for assistance and the canine retreated.”

Balram said the child was treated for his injuries before being taken to a medical facility by the owner of the dog.

This dog attack follows a trail of fatal dog attacks around the country.

Last week it was reported that a man was mauled to death by a pit bull at a tavern in Mogwase in the North West.

The latest incident follows other incidents, including that of a Port Alfred woman who was attacked and killed by three pit bulls in the Eastern Cape last month.

Amid the attacks, there have been growing calls to have pitbulls banned as domestic pets.

Also read: Pit bulls: Call to ban the breed