Boy, 8, bitten several times by dog in NSW

A boy was taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm and other injuries after being bitten by a dog through a fence near Newcastle in NSW's Hunter region.

The eight-year-old was walking near a paddock fence at a home in Edgeworth about 3pm on Sunday when he was approached by the dog.

The dog reached through the fence and bit the boy several times, police say.

Police have spoken to the dog's owner and are investigating the incident with the local council.