A TODDLER needed surgery after he was bitten by a dog in Salisbury.

The three-year-old was playing with his family in Queen Elizabeth Gardens at about 2.45pm on Sunday when the dog suddenly lunged at him and bit his arm.

The little boy suffered a serious bite which needed surgery.

The owner of the dog was aware of what happened but quickly left the park with his animal, which eye witnesses say was a Staffordshire bull terrier or similar breed.

Police say the dog owner is a white man between 17 and 19. He had fair or ginger coloured hair and was wearing a dark blue t-shirt with the number 9 on the back and jeans. He was with two young women of a similar age. Both had dark coloured hair and were wearing dark, long sleeved tops. The dog was dark brown in colour with a white chest and black stripes across its back.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Jackie Allen at Salisbury Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.