A young boy was gored by an angry buffalo after sneaking into its pen to play.

Stamp, the seven-year-old child, had entered the enclosure to play with three farm animals when one of them suddenly charged at him in Buriram, Thailand.

A herder, Somphong Khraraoram, 60, rushed to rescue the youngster and took him to Buriram Hospital for treatment on October 30.

The boy suffered abrasions to his face and head after being attacked by the two-year-old buffalo named Thong.

Somphong recalled that Stamp had not been able to play with his friends that day and decided instead to join the animals in their pen.

Moments later, he heard the child screaming and found him cornered against the fence.

He said: 'Stamp has been kissing, hugging, and teasing Thong since it was born.'

Doctors confirmed that Stamp did not suffer a concussion but was kept under observation overnight.

Somphong said that the buffalo may have been hungry or irritated, prompting it to lash out.

The herder warned other animal owners to keep a close watch on their children and explained that even familiar animals can attack when provoked or upset.