Parents speak of dog attack horror

Kira Neal was playing with her mother Sam Hallowes in the garden of The Famous Old Pines pub in Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, when she was attacked by a terrier dog.

The 22-month-old girl, from Bournemouth, suffered serious facial injuries and was rushed to Poole Hospital by ambulance with a police escort where she underwent surgery.

She is in a "comfortable and stable" condition in hospital, according to police.

The dog, described by locals as a Staffordshire bull terrier, was seized by police and is being kept in kennels at Bournemouth police station while an investigation is carried out.

The dog's owner, who was present at the pub and who is also from Bournemouth, has not been arrested but is helping police with their inquiries.

Describing the aftermath of the attack, Ms Hallowes, 26, said: "I think I just froze. I had a friend's mum holding onto me from behind, and my friend was holding a tissue to keep her face together, as it were. It was just pure shock. I was just holding on to her so tight. I just couldn't believe it."

Kira's father Philip Neal, who said his daughter had had between 50 and 60 stitches to her face, added: "I've been at the hospital since it happened. I went home this morning and just broke down. And I must admit I've had to be strong, I've had to not show any weakness, and the second I got home that's when it all flooded out. I'm a bit tired; not really slept much. Other than that I'm bearing up and being strong for my daughter."

Mr Neal called for the laws surrounding dangerous dogs to be strengthened to prevent other children from being attacked.

A Dorset police spokesman said that officers were investigating the incident and were examining CCTV footage as well as talking to the dog's owner and other witnesses.