A pit bull dog ran amok and attacked children in a park.

The pit bull cross was being looked after by a woman for her friend when it escaped from her garden and went into a local park.

Police said the dog bit two children but neither required medical treatment.

Claire Coleman was looking after the dog for her friend who has moved to Ireland.

She said: “He ran out my back door, he must have opened it with his paw, I had no idea he would be able to open it.”

After about 15 minutes she realised the dog was missing and she went looking for it.

“He had gotten over to the park and a couple of people were saying ‘stay away there’s a massive dog.’ “There were kids on the climbing frame, hiding from the dog.

"He has never been vicious, he was just jumping up. I think he got excited to see lots of people running around.

“He nipped a few of the kids, none of them were seriously hurt, just a few grazes.”

She said the dog had never behaved in that way before.

“I was quite shocked by what happened, he is not a violent dog. My friend’s kids rough and tumble with it.

“I think he was missing his family.”

The police were called and they took the dog back to Miss Coleman’s flat where they decided to take the animal into custody.

A police spokesman said: “Police received reports at approx 3.30pm on July, 17 2009 that a dog had bitten two children in a park in Sanderstead Road.

“Officers attended and the dog, believed to be a pit-bull type, was confiscated by police and is currently still in police custody.

“Police inquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage."

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