A Rottweiler dog which often played with a three-year-old boy, suddenly attacked him at his cousin's house in Taman Kulai Utama, Kulaijaya yesterday evening.

Chok Thuan Seng had just returned from a kindergarten located next to the cousin's house when the canine turned on him about 5pm.

Fortunately, the maid pulled the dog away from the victim, who sustained injuries on the face and neck.

Chok was initially sent to the Temenggong Seri Maharaja Tun Ibrahim Hospital in Kulaijaya before he was referred to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital where he underwent minor surgery.

His condition was reported to be stable.

Chok's cousin, who was identified only as Sin Yee, 21, said the family was puzzled why the Rottweiler had attacked the boy as they often played together.

"Maybe, it was because the dog was not chained. The timely arrival of our maid diffused the situation.

"A kindergarten teacher sent Chok to the hospital in Kulaijaya first, before he was referred to the second hospital" she said when met at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital here today.

"For the past three weeks, Chok, who is from Bukit Batu, Kulaijaya, was staying at our house as it was easier for him to attend the kindergarten.

"We've had the dog for over a year to guard our house after it was broken into several times in the past," she said.

Meanwhile, Kulaijaya police chief Supt Zulkefly Yahya, when contacted, said the police had not received any report on the incident.

It is understood the canine was sent to the state veterinary services department for inspection.