Pennington Reserve dog attack: Owner apologises after fleeing a park when his dog bit a toddler

The owner of a dog that tore skin off the cheek and mouth of a toddler at a park has apologised for fleeing the scene.

Basam Hafiz's three-year-old son was playing on the equipment at Pennington Reserve, in Adelaide's north, when he was attacked by a Tenterfield terrier at about 4.30pm on Wednesday.

The toddler was taken to the Women and Children's Hospital and underwent surgery, with his family fearing he may  be left with permanent scars.

The dog's owner, Jeb Stubberfield, immediately grabbed his dog and left the park following the attack - before emergency services arrived.

Mr Stubberfield has since apologised and admitted he should have stuck around to check the youngster was okay.

'I just panicked. It's very unfortunate, I'm very sorry, I wish I could take it back. I should have manned up and stayed around,' the dog owner told Seven News. 

The owner said his dog had been eating something from the grass when the toddler went to pet him, causing him to attack.

'It's an unfortunate circumstance to be quite honest,' Mr Stubberfield said.

'I'm just very apologetic to the child obviously, firstly, and the family to put them through this pain.'

The dog was given to the man as a gift five years ago while he was struggling with anxiety and depression.

Mr Stubberfield is now concerned his dog may be taken away by the local council and euthanised. 

The three-year-old spent a night in hospital and is now recovering at home.

Mr Hafiz said: 'I was pretty upset and I still am very upset because if you look at it, it's half his face and he's only a child,'

Earlier, a police spokesperson said investigations were underway with the City of Charles Sturt Council inspectors.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the City of Charles Sturt Council for comment.