A six-year-old boy was rushed to hospital on Sunday afternoon after he was attacked and bitten by a dog, the police said on Monday morning.

The child was attacked at the Sant Antnin family park in Marsascala at around 3.45pm.

In a statement, the police said that the child was taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance, where medical staff have certified his injuries as being grievous in nature.

It is understood the dog was on a leash at the time and that the boy approached the animal. The child had scratch marks on his arm and back after the incident. 

A police investigation is under way.

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