A young boy’s hand was broken and needed surgery after he was bitten by a dog in the street.

Reggi Jarvis, eight, was playing outside his aunt’s home in Huntley Avenue, Northfleet, when the Japanese Akita was said to have lunged at him.

The dog was reportedly being held by another child at the time, after being handed its lead by the owner.

Reggi, who lives with his mum Lecretia Barnes in Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, underwent surgery two days later to have a metal plate inserted.

Miss Barnes, 26, claims there has been a previous biting incident involving the same dog and branded it dangerous.

She reported the attack on her son to Kent Police, and officers confirmed they are investigating the matter.

Reggi was playing on his bike at about 5.30pm on Sunday when the dog appeared with its owner.

The owner’s nephew, also aged eight, was playing with Reggi at the time and, according to Miss Barnes, was given the dog to hold when the owner went to remonstrate with a 13-year-old boy riding on a motorbike.

Miss Barnes said: “The dog then lunged at my son. The owner then just got the dog and ran off. My son wasn’t crying at first because of shock but then he was sobbing. He was really upset and told me he heard his bone crunch.”

Reggi’s bleeding right hand was wrapped by his aunt in a towel, which quickly became blood-soaked.

Having been seen at Gravesend Community Hospital, Reggi was referred to a hospital in Chelmsford, Essex, where he underwent surgery on Tuesday.

Miss Barnes said: “The dog cracked Reggi’s hand.”

Akitas are large, powerful dogs and not considered suitable for first-time dog owners. The breed is legally regarded in some countries as a dangerous dog.

However, while they are described as strong, independent and dominant, their temperament is said to be usually docile, aloof and calm.

A police spokesman said: “We received a report of a dog being dangerously out of control in the Northfleet area on the evening of June 12, which resulted in a young boy being injured.

“Officers are currently investigating the matter.”

The attack on Reggi came the same week a dog owner was told that he could see his beloved rottweiler destroyed after it attacked a woman.

"He was really upset and told me he heard his bone crunch" - Lecretia Barnes

Barry Bruce, 68, of Vanessa Walk, Gravesend, denied, but was found guilty of, being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury. He was sentenced at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Bruce, who lives on a state pension of £152 a week, was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, carry out 150 hours of unpaid, non-manual work, pay £500 in court costs and a victim of surcharge of £60.

The court heard that on April 23, 2015, Susan Walker was taking her own dog through Vanessa Walk when the rottweiler attacked, injuring her leg.

Bruce, a retired builder, was building a fence in his garden. The dog escaped through a temporary fence.

Mrs Walker now lives in fear of larger dogs and, since another rottweiler joined her dog walking club in October, she has not returned, the court heard.

Alan Balneaves, defending, said: “The fence has been repaired now and the dog cannot get out other than the front door.

“He only leaves the house twice a day when he goes for a walk.”

An order to destroy Bruce’s seven-year-old dog was made but was adjourned until Wednesday, July 20, to give him time to appeal.

The father-of-four, who also has eight grandchildren, rarely leaves the house. He suffers from sciatic nerve and disc problems and relies on injections as a form of pain relief.

Mr Balneaves added: “He is in constant pain; his main companion is his dog. As a retired builder, all of the work he has done over his lifetime seems to be causing him problems.”

After a spate of dog attacks across the UK, new legislation regarding dangerous dogs comes into force on July 1.

This was used as a legal guideline for sentencing Bruce.

The reform will call for harsher sentencing of pet owners convicted of dangerous dog offences.

Last year, there were almost 600 dog attacks on humans in Kent alone.