uncle's Rottweiler.

The 21-month-old, Donte Brown is believed to have had more than 100 stitches in wounds to his scalp, head, an arm and a leg as a result of his mauling.

Last night his condition was said to be stable in the ICU.

And it could have been much worse if a passing motorist had not spotted the attack and beaten the dog away from the tiny child.

The incident happened yesterday afternoon when Donte and his 52-year-old aunt were walking close to the junction of Lighthouse Road and St. Anne's Road, in Southampton.

The aunt, who lives on Lighthouse Road, was taking Donte and two dogs for a walk. The little boy was walking along with the woman and the Rottweiler was not on a lead.

Police Community Relations Officer Sgt. Roseanda Jones said: "The woman picked up her nephew and the Rottweiler, for no apparent reason, jumped up and grabbed the child.

"The woman tried everything to get the dog off as it was attacking the child but it was a passing motorist who finally came to help her. He struck the dog and it ran away.

"They got into his car to get to the hospital and the dog continued to chase them trying to get at the little boy.'' The motorist took the baby to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where surgeons operated for hours on his wounds. He was still in the intensive care unit today. The woman was not hurt.

Sgt. Jones said: "It was a horrifying experience. It is of particular concern because the child and the dog were familiar to each other.'' Dog Control Officer Mr. Shinah Simons was called out by the Police to catch the dog which had returned home to Lighthouse Road. Mr. Simons said he could not discuss the incident because the Police were dealing with the case.

A neighbour said that the dog had been involved in trouble before when it killed some rabbits. She said she had been told the little boy's face was badly scarred during yesterday's attack.

Owner of the dog Mr. Bryant Richards said he was not releasing any information about the incident.

Police are investigating and are keen to contact the motorist who came to the rescue of the woman and the child. It is believed he is a former Policeman.

Anyone with information should contact Somerset Police Station and talk to P.c. Kenny Dottin on 234-1010.

DOG'S OWNER -- Mr. Bryant Richards.