Little Antonio Quinn was rushed to Manchester Children’s HospitalAmy Fenton Senior reporter and James Holt Senior Live and Breaking News Reporter
19:49, 28 May 2025
Antonio was rushed to Manchester Children’s Hospital (Image: Amanda Holmes)
A devastated mum has spoken of the terrifying moment her four-year-old son turned up at her door with ‘his cheek hanging off’ and ‘covered in blood’ after he was savaged by a neighbour’s dogs.
Little Antonio Quinn had been playing at his friend’s house on Monday afternoon (May 26), when the shocking incident happened. The youngster’s mum, Amanda Holmes, said she believes the children had been playing in the garden of the home – and then one of them went inside for a drink.
She says that at this point the dogs – a Staffordshire Bull Terrier type and a Pocket Bully type – got out of the house and launched the vicious attack on her son.
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The terrified youngster, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, then managed to escape and run home, with Amanda opening the door to find him covered in blood and with several dog bites on his cheeks, chin and leg, LancsLive reports.
Antonio was rushed to Manchester Children’s Hospital where he underwent a three-hour operation to stitch his wounds. Despite the best efforts of medics he has been left ‘scarred for life’ by the ordeal.
Antonio Quinn was savaged by two dogs(Image: Amanda Holmes)
Mum-of-three Amanda said: “Their son had gone in the house for a glass of juice and the dog has attacked my son. He could have lost his life.”
The two dogs have since been seized by police who have said that the owner ‘will be spoken to in due course’.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary said: “We’re appealing for information and footage after a child suffered a dog bite in Oswaldtwistle. We were called shortly after 1.30pm on Monday May 26 following reports that a child had been bitten by a dog on Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle.
“The child, a four-year-old boy, was taken to hospital with injuries to his leg and face. Thankfully, those injuries are not life threatening.
Antonio Quinn escaped and ran home(Image: Amanda Holmes)
“Two dogs have been seized by police – a Staffordshire Bull Terrier type and a Pocket Bully Type – and the dog owner has been identified and will be spoken to in due course.
“We know this may be concerning to hear about, but we want to reassure you that enquiries are ongoing into the incident, and we are asking for your help to assist those enquiries.
“We are particularly interested in viewing any CCTV footage of the area, that may have captured the incident. If you have any information or footage, or witnessed the incident, please call 101 quoting log 0603 of May 26.”
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