A BOY of seven is in hospital with serious injuries after being attacked by two American Bull Terriers in a back garden at Minster, near Sheerness.

Frankie Knowlden had climbed a fence to get into the property in Falcon Gardens to retrieve a football. He was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital with lacerations and scratches to his neck and chest.

Later Frankie was transferred to an Essex hospital for specialist treatment. Kent Police described them as "serious injuries".

Kent Police said that because the boy's actions were classed as trespassing, current laws say that no crime was committed by the owner or the dogs.

Spokeswoman Sally Farrell said: "This was a terrifying incident for all concerned."

But she stressed: "Under current legislation, no offences were disclosed in respect of the manner in which the dogs were kept. The powers under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 meant that forcible removal from the owner is not legally possible."

The RSPCA attended the scene of the drama yesterday afternoon and Swale Borough Council's dog warden will be carrying out a full investigation with police assistance.