Owner of dog that attacked boy, 3, at Pennington apologises, explains why he left the scene

The owner of an unrestrained dog who bit a three-year-old boy on the face has issued an apology saying he “panicked” and was “totally sorry”.

The owner of a dog that attacked a three-year-old boy at a public park has apologised, explaining why he fled the scene straight after.

On Friday, the owner of the dog Jeb Stubberfield told 7NEWS he was “very apologetic to the child obviously … and to the family to put them through this pain and to everyone that’s involved”.

“I’m totally sorry … Obviously I’ve got to deal with the repercussions of it all … hopefully it all turns out all right … for the child,” the man said.

The man revealed he had owned the dog, called Buddy, for five years, and received him while he was suffering anxiety and depression.

Ismael Hafiz was attacked by a small terrier dog at a park next to the Pennington Primary School on Wednesday.

He said the attack occurred after the boy approached the dog while it was eating.

“He was eating something and the kids ran up to him as he was eating something off the ground and that sparked him,” he said.

Explaining why he left the Pennington playground after the attack, he said he “I panicked, I just panicked”.

“Animals are animals unfortunately, and if you can understand what they are feeling … I think you probably will understand that.”

Ismael Hafiz suffered lacerations to his “half his face” on Wednesday after a tenterfield terrier let off its leash “jumped at him and knocked him over” at the playground, with the owner then leaving the scene.

On Thursday, father-of-two Bassam said his son had refused to leave his side since the attack.

“I still am pretty upset,” Mr Hafiz said. “If you look, it’s half of his face and he is only a child … he has his future ahead of him.”

A man with the dog that allegedly attacked the young boy.

A former dog owner himself, Mr Hafiz said it was essential for people to be responsible for the pets.

“How could you just run off (from) … a small child like (Ismael)? I don’t know what to say to the owner, honestly,” Mr Hafiz said.

“He’s already thinking, ‘oh, gotta stay away from dogs’.”

Emergency services were called to the playground in Adelaide’s northwest about 4.30pm on Wednesday after the boy was attacked.

The boy was taken to nearby Pennington Primary School next door, where staff administered first aid before the ambulance could arrive.

The school declined to comment.

The boy was taken to the Women’s and Children's Hospital for treatment and discharged to heal at home.

Ismael, 3, with his father Bassam Hafiz on Thursday.

Pennington playground, where the attack took place. Picture: Dean Martin

“I got a phone call from his mother crying, saying, ‘your son has been bitten’,” he said.

“I thought it was something small, and then she sent me a photo of his whole face full of blood and I panicked.”

Charles Sturt Council confirmed an investigation was launched on Thursday with police assistance.

“The dog is reported to be a small breed, and injuries to the child are reported to be lacerations to the cheek,” a spokesperson said.

“The person responsible for the dog left the scene with the dog before SAPOL arrived.”

Mr Hafiz said the dog should not have been let off the leash in the park when children were present.

“There’s lots of space for the dog, and the dog’s right here where the kids are playing … it’s not okay.”

New laws proposed by the state government currently on community consultation could see penalties for dog attacks increase to $25,000 if they cause serious injury or death.

The fine could rise to $50,000 if the attacking dog was already considered dangerous, up from $10,000.

In cases where a dog owner deliberately encouraged their pet to attack or harass a person or animal, the owner faces fines up to $100,000 – or four years jail.