Gran saves girl of two from ‘pack of 10 dogs’
A GRANDMOTHER saved the life of a two- year- old girl who was being mauled by ‘up to ten dogs’ yesterday.
The toddler suffered serious injuries to her head and body after a pack got into the back garden where she was playing.
emergency services were called to the house in Toxteth, Liverpool, at 3.40pm after reports a child had been bitten and a woman had also been injured.
The girl, named locally as ella, was treated at the scene before being taken by air ambulance to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Her condition is described as serious but not life-threatening.
The girl’s grandmother was taken to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital where she received treatment for minor injuries and was later released from hospital.
One neighbour said: ‘Her grandmother is a hero – you always think you’d put yourself between a child and any danger, but she’s actually done it.’
According to locals, the youngster is well known and is ‘very smiley, adorable’.
Other residents described hearing a commotion near the scene at around 3.45pm.
Police officers seized five dogs and five puppies from the home of a 35-year- old man who was arrested. Specialist officers are working to establish the breed of dog.
‘Her grandmother is a true hero’
Chief Inspector dave Westby said: ‘This was a horrific attack which has resulted in a two-year-old girl suffering extensive injuries to her head and body.
‘The investigation is in its early stages, but it is believed that the child was playing in the back garden of a relative’s address with two other children, aged four and six years, when a number of dogs from a nearby house managed to get in to the garden. At this stage it is believed that the little girl was attacked by more than one dog, and officers are trying to establish how many dogs were involved.
‘Fortunately, a relative who was in the house was able to rescue the child from the dogs. I want to reassure people that the little girl is now getting the best possible care and treatment for her injuries at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.’
Chief Insp Westby added: ‘I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time, who may have information which could help us with our investigation, to come forward as soon as possible.’
A 35-year-old man from Toxteth has been arrested on suspicion of having a dangerous dog or dogs out of control.
Last month, police shot and killed two American bulldogs after they ran amok in Bolton, biting one woman on the hand and another on the leg.