TEST Valley Borough Council has completed the refurbishment at several of the local children’s play parks in Andover.

One of these is Hedge End Road recreation ground. I have been there several times with my grandchildren, and they have had a great time.

However, two weeks ago my small grandson was swinging on the zip wire, which is outside of the fenced play area, when two Staffie-type dogs appeared from nowhere, and one of them leapt up and bit him on the leg.

It was literally hanging from his leg as he was swinging from the zip wire. I ran to help him, with another mother.

We could not get out of the nearest gate in the park to him, as it was chained shut. I had to run the length of the enclosed play area to the other gate.

I ran up to the dog and kicked it, and it fortunately let go of my grandson’s leg and fell back to the ground.

I carried my grandson back into the fenced area. His shorts were completely ripped, and through the bleeding I could see bruising and deep puncture marks. He was very shocked, and sobbed he was never coming to my park again.

My grandson was taken to our excellent local minor injuries clinic where his leg was attended to, and thanks to having had his tetanus injections, his leg should heal satisfactorily.

He is used to dogs and likes them, but this has made him very frightened when an unknown dog comes up to him.

I would like to make two points.

The nearest gate to the incident was chained shut. The council was informed, and said they did not know why the gate was chained shut and would look into it. I have since checked and it is still chained shut.

The zip wire, unlike the zip wires at Anton and Charlton Lakes, is outside the fenced part of the play area.

The local dog warden has since seen the owner of the dogs, and made recommendations to the owner. Neither of the dogs has been in trouble before.

At Charlton and Anton Lakes play parks the zip wires are placed inside the fenced area and therefore safe.

This one also needs to be securely behind the safety of the fence.

As we left the park in a hurry to get help for my grandson, I would also like to thank the other mother and the three children who, all without a thought for their own safety, rushed with me to try to help my little grandson.

Name and address supplied.