A man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after a dog attack on a North East housing estate this evening (Tuesday, October 3).

Police have confirmed the dog was destroyed at the scene "to ensure the safety of the public" following the incident Maple Terrace, Shiney Row. 

Emergency services converged on Maple Terrace following reports of a dog attack shortly before 7pm.

A man in his 50s was taken to hospital following the attack involving two dogs - one of which has been killed and the other seized.

Read more: Shiney Row incident LIVE: Police cordon off Maple Terrace

Police arrested a 44-year-old man in connection with the incident, and he remains in police custody.

Multiple officers and police cars were pictured on the scene hours later, and the street remains under a monitored police cordon.

Video from the scene also shows police tape cordoning off the field area behind the homes, as concerned residents were seen looking out of their windows at the police presence.

Northumbria Police have launched an investigation.

The Northern Echo: Police cordon at Maple Terrace, Shiney Row.Police cordon at Maple Terrace, Shiney Row. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "An investigation has been launched after a man was seriously injured by a dog in Sunderland.

"Shortly before 6.55pm today (Tuesday) police received a report that a dog had injured a man outside of an address on Maple Terrace in Shiney Row.

"Emergency services attended the scene and the man – in his 50s – was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

"A 44-year-old man was arrested in connection with the report. He remains in police custody at this time.

The Northern Echo: Police cordon at Maple Terrace, Shiney Row.Police cordon at Maple Terrace, Shiney Row. (Image: KAYLEIGH FRASER)

"The dog was destroyed at the scene to ensure the safety of the public. A second dog was also seized from the address as a precaution.

"There is no wider risk to the public, and police remain in the area to offer reassurance to the community.

"Officers would ask people not to speculate about the incident online, including on social media, while enquiries are ongoing.

"Anyone with concerns or information about what has happened is encouraged to speak with an officer on duty.

"Members of the public can also get in touch using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the Northumbria Police website or call 101 quoting reference number NP-20231003-0979."

The Northern Echo: Police cordon at Maple Terrace, Shiney Row.Police cordon at Maple Terrace, Shiney Row. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

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A NEAS spokesperson said: "We were called to an incident on Maple Terrace, Shiney Row just after 7pm.

"We dispatched two double-crewed ambulances, a specialist paramedic and a clinical team leader. One patient was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary."

An eyewitness who lives in the area told The Northern Echo: "We heard the sirens at 7:36pm, I remember because I checked my phone at the time.

"It was really loud and scary but we couldn't see what was going on."