The two-year-old girl was attacked by one of her family's French Bullmastiff like the one pictured aboveA girl of two was being treated in hospital for horrific facial injuries today after being attacked by a family dog in her home.
The toddler is understood to have lost her jaw and some facial tissue in the incident.
She is on a ventilator, but is said to be stable.
The incident happened on Monday at lunchtime when the animal - believed to be a French Bullmastiff - suddenly turned on the child at her family's home in Eltham, South East London
The girl's father immediately stepped in and killed the dog - one of three kept by the family - with a kitchen knife.
The girl is currently in King's College Hospital in south-east London.
The family also have a female French Bullmastiff which was in season at the time and police believe that may have caused the male dog to be more aggressive.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: 'We were called to the address by the London Ambulance Service following reports that a two year old child had been attacked by a dog.
'She was taken to hospital with facial injuries and is currently in a stable condition.
'It's believed that the dog was a family pet. The owner tackled the dog with a knife and the dog died at the scene.'
The animal is not a breed thought to be covered under the dangerous dogs act.
The family's other two dogs have been taken into police care but they are not described as dangerous.
The incident comes amid growing alarm that some breeds of large dog are being used by gangs as weapons or status symbols.
The French Mastiff - also called the Bordeaux Bulldog - is a relatively short, stocky mastiff.
According to breeders it usually has a good and calm temperament.
They are renowned for being extremely loyal, patient and devoted. Fearless and confrontational with strangers, they make a first class watch and guard dog.
The French Mastiff can be aggressive to other dogs unless they are socialised from an early age.
Despite their fearsome appearance, the breed is usually gentle with children. They need a calm, but firm owner who displays a natural authority over the dog.
source :dailymail
Posts
