Girl seriously injured in dog attack

A little girl has been injured after a dog bit her in the face several times.

The six-year-old was airlifted to hospital after emergency crews were called to a property in Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, north Staffordshire, at 10.15am on Saturday.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "Crews arrived to find a six-year-old girl who had sustained multiple bite wounds to her face after reportedly being attacked by a dog.

"The girl, who was understandably upset, was given pain relief to help ease her discomfort before ambulance staff assessed her nasty wounds and carefully applied dressings."

The girl was then airlifted to Birmingham Children's Hospital for further emergency care and surgery, and is said to be in a serious but stable condition.

The spokeswoman said the girl's mother travelled in the helicopter with her daughter.

Police said the incident in Pretoria Road involved a Staffordshire bull terrier and took place in the garden of the property.

A police spokesman said: "The dog has been secured and will be taken to specialist kennels. Inquiries are ongoing."