Friday, July 29, 2011

Girl, 4, attacked by dog recovering at home after surgery

UNITED KINGDOM -- Four year-old Hannah Salt could be scarred for life after she was attacked by a dog in a friend's living room.

The youngster was feeding two-year-old German Shepherd Rocky when the dog suddenly turned and bit her on the face, leaving her with multiple wounds.


The youngster and her mum, Vanessa Salt, were visiting a friend in Gilliat Place, Bentilee, on Sunday, at 4.35pm.

The dog bit her above her left eyebrow down to the bone and remained on top of the tot until being pulled off.

Vanessa, aged 36, of Dividy Road, Bentilee, said: "My friend and I were in the living room in the flat talking and my little girl was on the sofa. I gave the dog chews to Hannah and the next thing I knew the dog was on top of her biting her. Hannah was screaming that she wanted to go home."

Hannah spent Sunday night in hospital and underwent two-and-a-half hours of surgery.

The dog has since been destroyed on police orders.

Hannah, who will start at Eaton Park Primary School in September, suffered nerve damage above her eyebrow, but was lucky to escape any damage to her vision.

Vanessa said: "You don't expect a dog to just turn like that. It attacked Hannah and bit her on the eye right down to the bone. Her face is full of stitches now and swollen. I want to get a message out to parents that they need to watch their dogs closely. There's no damage to her eyes, so she's been very lucky."

Hannah was due to revisit the hospital today, so doctors can assess her rate of healing.

Vanessa said: "She might have to have further surgery later, depending on how she goes. I don't blame the owner, but parents need to keep a close eye on where little children are. Hannah says she doesn't like big dogs now. There's a chance the dog has scarred her for life."

Irene Shepherd, Hannah's grandmother, said Hannah had always got on well with her Staffordshire bull terrier, Tilly.

The 53-year-old, of Dividy Road, Bentilee, said: "When I got there, the wound on her forehead was wide open exposing the bone. It was frightening. Hannah has always got on with our dog. She seems happy enough in herself now, but her face is a mess. I couldn't blame the owner of the dog, he's feeling guilty and he's got grandchildren of his own."

Following the attack, the dog was taken by police to an approved kennel. He was put down on Tuesday.

A police spokesman said: "No charges will be brought against the owner of the dog."

(The Sentinel - July 29, 2011)