Child rushed to hospital after being mauled by dog at birthday party A toddler has been rushed to hospital after being mauled by a dog at a birthday party in Stockton, County Durham (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC ) A toddler has been taken to hospital after a dog attack at a birthday party left the child with injuries. The incident occurred in the Hardwick area of Stockton, County Durham, prompting police to rush to the scene. ‌ The young victim was hospitalised with injuries to their arm and head, which thankfully were not considered life-threatening. Read more British Airways crew member found dead in hotel room Meanwhile, the dog involved was seized by officers and placed in a specialist kennel. Article continues below Police continued their investigation into the evening on Saturday. The exact breed of the dog is yet to be determined, although some witnesses have referred to it as a pitbull cross. A witness recounted seeing the aftermath of the attack, noting: "There were loads of emergency services as I was walking past, and the bairn [child] was taken to hospital.", reports the Mirror. ‌ Cleveland Police released a statement saying: "Police were called to a property on Chopwell Close in Hardwick, Stockton this afternoon (Saturday 19th April) after it was reported that a child had been attacked by a dog. "Officers attended the scene and secured the dog safely, without any harm to the animal, and removed it from the premises. The dog has been taken to specialist dog kennels. "The child has been taken to hospital for treatment for arm and head injuries (not life threatening). ‌ "Police remain at the scene of the incident whilst enquiries continue. "Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101 quoting 069181." A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service commented: "We were called to a person injured in the Hardwick area of Stockton at 12.33pm this afternoon. ‌ "No resources were required as the patient made their own way to hospital." An alarming new interactive map has highlighted the spots across the UK where fatal dog attacks have occurred over the past five years. Already this year, two individuals have lost their lives to brutal XL Bully dog attacks, raising the death toll since 2020 to 31. ‌ In February, Morgan Dorsett, a 19 year old from Shropshire, was fatally mauled by an XL Bully in a Bristol home. A neighbour recounted witnessing a woman drenched in blood, "hysterically screaming" and "crying" following the horrific incident. The following month, 84 year old John McColl succumbed to injuries after an XL Bully attacked him while he was out walking in Warrington. Article continues below The grandfather was assaulted in February and endured a month-long hospital stay before passing away due to his injuries on March 30. Additionally, a recent Freedom of Information request submitted to the BBC revealed that dog attack incidents have surged in all regions of England and Wales since 2020, with some areas experiencing increases as high as 50%. Police forces logged 32,568 offences nationwide in 2024, marking a 4% rise from the 31,398 incidents reported in 2023.