A brave dad fought off what is believed to have been an XL bully when it mauled his daughter as she exited his car.
The unnamed 12-year-old girl was in Brynmawr, Wales, on Monday and suffered life-changing injuries after the dog "came out of the blue" and descended on her in a "split second". The girl was brutally attacked on her arm and back, and is awaiting skin grafts.
In an update following the mauling at in Brynmawr, the victim's mother told how the girl's father managed to get on top of the dog and hold it down while they waited for police to arrive. She said the dog - which she believes was an - was not on a leash when the attack took place, and called on owners to register their pets.
She told : "My daughter had just got out of the car with her dad when the dog came out of the blue. I was at home and a neighbour came to tell me something had happened. My daughter is going to be scarred physically and mentally for life, a few inches higher or a couple of millimetres deeper she would be dead.
"I am a dog owner myself and can't fathom how people have such a blatant disregard for life. I just want others to realise that they need to be responsible. I also want people who let their kids out to make sure they tell them to be extra aware of their surroundings as this happened in a split second and with an adult around.
"Smaller children wouldn't have had a chance." confirmed earlier this week that officers were called to an address in Brynmawr at around 5.50pm on Monday, and that the dog was seized and destroyed following the attack. They arrested two people - a 37-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman - both from the Brynmawr area, on suspicion of owning or possessing a dog bred for fighting and owning or possessing a dog dangerously out of control.
Gwent Superintendent John Davies said: "This was a distressing incident for those involved. I would like to reassure the local community there is no further risk to the public. It is possible that you may see ongoing police activity in Nantyglo as part of this work. If you have concerns or information, please stop and talk with us. "
Anyone who may have information concerning the incident can submit a report on the service's website, direct message them on social media, or call them on 101, quoting reference 2400334368. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.
