Toddler mauled in dog attack

A toddler has been mauled in a vicious attack by a terrier dog.

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 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 was today 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."

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