Limerick tot recovering after dog attack

A two-year-old Limerick boy is being treated in hospital after he was attacked by a dog last night.

The attack happened at the boy's home in the city when the family pet set upon the toddler without warning.

The dog, the breed of which is unknown, was taken away to be destroyed by dog wardens.

A neighbour of the family, 21-year-old Jonathan Curtin, has been hailed a hero after jumping a wall and beating the dog off the child with a shovel.

Gardaí said that if it had not been for his quick reactions the child may have died.

Mr Curtin said the boy was like a rag doll in the dog's mouth.

The boy is being treated in Cork University Hospital.