A 29-year-old woman has been arrested after a dog mauled a child. 

Hampshire Police said the dog's owner was arrested and taken into custody after the attack on Tuesday. 

The animal was seized by police and is currently in a secure kennels. 

It comes after six-year-old Lucas Nicholls was knocked off his bike and bitten by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross. 

A spokesman for Hampshire Police said the force was appealing for witnesses.

Lucas' mother Rusty told the Gazette how the terrifying moment unfolded within seconds. 

"It happened so quickly," she said.

A passerby managed to prize the dog off Lucas but he had already been bitten and clawed.

Rusty, a care assistant from Basingstoke, called an ambulance but was told by the operator that they were 'short staffed'.

Instead the mother had to walk her bleeding son back to their home and drive to hospital. 

A spokesman for Hampshire Police said: "We are appealing for witnesses and information after a six year old boy sustained injuries after being bitten by a dog in a Basingstoke park.

"The incident occurred at around 4.45pm on Tuesday, August 13, in the park off Brighton Way.

"The boy received injuries to his face, neck and hand. He was treated in hospital but the wounds are not believed to be life threatening.

"The dog has been seized by police and remains in secure kennels and the owner, a 29 year old female, was arrested. She has since been de-arrested but will be questioned by police in due course.

"Were you in the park around this time? Did you see or hear anything – if you can help, please get in touch by calling 101 and quoting reference 44190286902."