A CRAZED Rottweiler dog savagely "scalped" a five-year-old boy - but its owner was let off.

Rhys Webb needed almost 100 stitches after the horrific attack.

He was left permanently scarred and will never grow hair on parts of his head. But the owner of the dog - named Rocky - avoided prosecution because the animal was not in his care when the attack happened.

Recovering ... Rhys with mum Cassie and dad Andrew

Rhys and his two brothers were playing in a communal garden in Rainham, Essex, when the dog charged round the corner, sank its teeth into his head and shook him from side to side.

Terrifying ... a Rottweiler

Dad Andrew, 28, said: "The dog made a bee-line for Rhys, totally unprovoked. It sunk its teeth into his head and Rhys tried to run, but the dog got his head like a football.

"It was ripping the skin back. He was pretty much scalped. I punched the dog until it let go. It was horrible."

Rhys had 87 stitches in a 4½-hour operation. Medics said he was lucky to survive. Owner Steven Spence had left the animal, called Rocky, with pal Kevin Mills, 47. Mills went out, leaving it with drug-addict brother Graham in December 2008.

Graham, 45, was the only one charged because it was in his care at the time. He admitted being in charge of an out-of-control dog that caused injury. He got a six-month suspended sentence at Basildon Crown Court.

The dog was ordered to be destroyed. Rhys's mum Cassie Daly, 25, said: "I'm angry the owner got nothing but I was relieved to tell Rhys the dog couldn't hurt him again. He's been so brave."