The parents of a nine-year-old boy who they say was attacked by a dog have criticised the police for a lack of action.

The Comet: Xaine Leake's mother Michelle says her son is now scared of dogs following the attackXaine Leake's mother Michelle says her son is now scared of dogs following the attack (Image: Archant)

Michelle Haynes and Michael Leake said the officers from Herts police have done very little since their son, Xaine Leake, was allegedly attacked by a German shepherd dog on the Westmill estate in Hitchin on August 14.

Ms Haynes, of Waltham Road, said that her son suffered three bites to the face, two to his back and three to his arms.

She told the Comet the dog was on a lead and was being walked by a woman when it got away and attacked her son, who was playing with friends.

“This happened three weeks ago and the police visited my son’s father a week after the incident saying that he would pass it onto a superior,” she said.

“They have not taken a statement from Xaine and nothing has been done to the owner of the dog. We’ve heard nothing at all.

“I am a dog lover and between Xaine’s father and me we have four dogs, so I do not want anything to happen to the dog, but I do think the police need to do or say something to the owner to stop this from happening again.

“Xaine looked like something out of a horror movie – he is now very scared of dogs and jumps every time he sees one. He’s very lucky to have his eye. It was a savage attack.”

Mr Leake, who lives in Moss Way, added: “We don’t know anything, we don’t know anything about the dog, what’s happened to it or the owner. It is almost three weeks.”

A spokesman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “While it may be perceived that the investigation is not progressing quickly enough, it is very much active and on-going and the victim and their family have been fully updated as to its progress.”