A nine-year-old boy who underwent emergency surgery after being bitten by a dog over the weekend was said to be in a stable condition on Tuesday.

He remains in the children’s surgical ward of Makarios hospital in Nicosia for treatment.

But scientific director of the hospital Christos Minas said he is in a stable condition. Speaking on Omega TV, he said the child is expected to have a full recovery if there are no complications from the surgery such as an infection.

The boy’s injury was on his neck and head.

Minas warned parents and guardians to “never leave young children unaccompanied with dogs” as they are vulnerable to animal bites.

He explained that 90 per cent of dog bites in children take place at their own home from the family’s dog while two thirds occur when there is no adult present.

The child was attacked late Sunday morning, while at home in Nicosia district.

He was transported to Makarios Hospital after undergoing surgery at the Nicosia general hospital where he was admitted on Sunday.

Preliminary examination revealed the dog to be unregistered.