A father from Barberton in Mpumalanga feared his son was dead after allegedly being attacked by a neighbour’s pitt bull terrier.

Wonder Luphoko’s child is still in hospital after allegedly being mauled by the dog on Sunday.

According to Luphoko, the pit bull, owned by a neighbour, attacked his son while he was passing by with other kids. He was alerted by his son’s friends of what was happening.

He alleges that the neighbour opened the gate while his son and other kids were in the street. The dog jumped onto the boy, grabbing his leg, whereafter the child fell to the ground. As he was lying there, it bit at his throat, face and chest.

According to the father, some people attempted to assist his son, but they were also terrified of the animal.

“I thought my son was dead, because the dog had him by the throat when I arrived to save him. I had to beat it until it let him go, but he was badly injured, so we rushed him to hospital.”

Luphoko is not happy with the incident and said the owner should have made sure that the dog was locked inside their yard to make sure that it does not come out to attack people.

“I am happy that my son came out alive, because the worst could have happened.”

The little boy is still in a critical condition and struggling to eat. The father opened a case of attempted murder and failure to handle a dangerous animal against the owner at the Barberton Police Station.

The dog’s owners said they would not comment and would instead deal directly with the victim’s family.

A provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, confirmed the incident and said the SAPS is investigating the case.