Thunder Bay police are investigating a dog attack on an 11-year-old boy.

Just before 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, the child jumped over the hockey boards at Tarbutt Park, unaware that there were dogs in the rink area.

He said a large dog attacked him.

The boy suffered a serious injury to his face and was taken to Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.

Police say he needs reconstructive surgery.

A man in charge of the dog, along with five smaller dogs, was in the rink area.

Police say the man told the injured boy that the dog wasn't vicious and then left without helping him.

Anyone with information that can help identify the man or the dog is asked to contact the Thunder Bay police.

A man living across from the park told CBC News on Sunday he didn't see or hear the attack.

But Al Bowen said many people let their dogs loose in the park's rink area when they shouldn't be. "It's not a dog kennel, it's a rink," Bowen said. "A public park." Bowen said dogs are supposed to be on leashes at all times.