JUST three days ago this six-year-old South-ampton boy was savagely attacked by a bull mastiff that left him with deep wounds to his head, legs and arms.

Yesterday, Dominic Johnson from Coxford was recovering at home after a two-day stay at Southampton General Hospital.

Doctors there told mum Sharon Johnson that her son was lucky the dog's teeth hadn't punctured his skull.

The bull mastiff was put down by vets just hours after the attack, at the request of its owner.

Yesterday Dominic was enjoying the limelight as friends and family showered him with get well gifts.

The terrifying attack took place at Coxford Road at 12.30pm on Wednesday when Mrs Johnson set off for a walk with her three sons, Dominic, Robbie, 7, and Ben, eight months.

The dog grabbed Dominic's coat with its mouth before dragging him on to a patch of grass and savaging his head, arms and legs.

A course of antibiotics will protect Dominic against infection but he will be scarred for life by puncture wounds on his legs and arms where the dog caught hold.

Dominic, a pupil at The Holy Family School in Millbrook, looks set to miss the crucial first two weeks of the autumn term.

Mrs Johnson said: "He had been a bit quieter than usual but he's much bubblier now. You just don't know what the long-term effects will be.

"He has been told that the dog is dead and he said that was good news. If people have dogs it is like having a child.

"They should be brought up in a way that is acceptable to the community.

"Dominic will be permanently scarred on his legs, arms and head but other than that he will make a full recovery. He will have his stitches taken out next Friday and we expect him to miss the first two weeks of the school term.

"He's quite an energetic boy and I wouldn't want him causing any further damage to the head wounds. He's been given so many new toys, though, that he must think it is Christmas or his birthday."

A spokesman for Hampshire police said the incident had been reported to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). It is now down to the CPS to make a decision about whether the dog's owner will be prosecuted.