POLICE say they are unable to take any action against the owner of a Rottweiler dog that bit a man as it ran riot at a children's football match in Southampton, causing the young players to flee in terror.

As reported in yesterday's Daily Echo, the ten-stone animal ran on to the pitch at Test Park in Millbrook while an under-12s match between Dougland Red, coached by Saints legend Francis Benali, and Chamberlayne FC was being played.

Manager of Dougland Red Paul Hicks was bitten on the hand as he tried to capture the dog, thought to be called Reggie, who invaded the pitch after escaping from its owner's home.

The young players fled to the changing rooms while brave spectators along with the injured Mr Hicks wrestled the dog to the ground and sat on it until the police arrived.

Today Hampshire police said it was unlikely any further action would be taken as no formal complaint had been made.

A spokesman said: "We had made efforts to contact dog kennels but then we were contacted by the owner and we took the animal back to him at an address in Millbrook.

"There is very little we can do as in this case the man who was injured is refusing to make a complaint. Without him it would be unlikely we would be able to pursue the case."

Mr Hicks, who owns a Golden Retriever, confirmed he would not be pressing charges.

"I don't want anything bad to happen to the dog.

"He probably just reacted because he got frightened as he was being stopped from doing what he wanted to do."

Meanwhile, the Hampshire Football Association praised the actions of referee Bruce Moffat, who promptly abandoned the match, a semi-final cup replay.

A spokesman for FA said there was little it could do as the dog was not the property of a spectator or club member.