A young boy whose hand was broken after he was bitten by a dog in the street faces weeks of physiotherapy.

Reggi Jarvis, eight, had to have surgery to insert a metal plate after the attack by a Japanese akita in Northfleet.

The youngster was playing on his bike when the animal was said to have lunged at him.

He returned from hospital to his home in Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, last week but is not yet back at school.

His mum, Lecretia Barnes, said the family now faces numerous trips to and from the specialist unit at an Essex hospital where he was transferred from Gravesham Community Hospital.

"He is still in a sling and we have already had to go back to the hospital once last week and have to go again this week for him to be checked. I don't drive so Reggi's grandad is having to take time off work to take us.

"The hand is his writing hand and the hospital has said he is not well enough to go back to school yet. He is also going to need physiotherapy but at the moment his hand is still in a cast and sling."

Miss Barnes, 26, added she wants the animal's owner to be charged over the incident, which occurred while Reggi was playing outside his aunt's home in Huntley Avenue at about 5.30pm on Sunday, June 12.

Speaking exclusively to the Messenger just hours after Reggi had come out of the operating theatre, she said the akita lunged at her son and bit him after its owner had handed its lead to another young boy to hold.

Miss Barnes claimed the owner then just took his dog and fled. "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."

Kent Police said inquiries into a report of a dog being dangerously out of control were still on-going.

This week, Miss Barnes said Reggi was "alright" but had not spoken much to her about what happened.

She added the dog owner’s mother had also been to see her to apologise and “couldn’t be more sorry”.

However, Miss Barnes said she and her son were prepared to go to court.

"The police rang me to ask if I want to press charges and whether Reggi would give evidence on a video link. I said yes because that dog is dangerous."

Akitas are large, powerful dogs and not considered suitable for first-time dog owners. However, their temperament is said to be usually docile, aloof and calm.