Video captures family cat saving young boy from dog attack

A California boy pulled from his bike by an attacking dog was saved by his family's cat yesterday, which rushed in and attacked the dog, a video posted on YouTube shows.

The video, which has quickly spread online, shows Jeremy Triantafilo playing

on his bicycle outside his family’s home in Bakersfield, California when the dog escaped through an open gate and crept up on him from behind.

The dog then attacks the boy, biting his leg and dragging him off of the bike.

A dark cat then hurls itself at the dog and chases it down the driveway and away from the child before a woman runs to help the boy.

Local media reported the video was from multiple security cameras and shows graphic pictures of the bite wounds sustained by the boy.

"Thankfully, it wasn't worse," his father, Roger Triantafilo, wrote in posting the video. "My son is fine."

It is understood the boy received a number of stitches.

Bakersfield police said the attacking dog, identified as an 8-month-old Labrador-Chow mix, had been surrendered by its owner’s family after the attack and was in quarantine and would be put down.

Police spokesman Sergeant Joseph Grubbs said the dog's owners, who live in the same neighbourhood as the boy, said the dog did not like children or bicycles.

He did not identify the owner by name.

The Triantafilo family could not be reached for immediate comment.