Dog attacks two young girls outside primary school gates

Two four-year-old girls have been attacked by a dog outside the gates of a primary school.

The Staffordshire bull terrier is thought to have escaped through the front gate of a nearby property and attacked the children outside Red Hall Primary School in Darlington, County Durham.

One of the children suffered a bite to the lower back and the other a head injury.

Both were taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for treatment and their injuries are not thought to be serious.

The dog, which also attacked a 33-year-old man during the incident, was caught and taken to be destroyed.

Durham Police said the keeper of the dog, a 44-year-old woman, has been arrested on suspicion of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control.

Neighbourhood Inspector Caroline Dawson said: "Obviously this was a truly terrifying incident for those involved.

"It is the last thing you expect to happen at the school gates and was very distressing for anyone in the area at the time.

"I would like to reassure residents that this was an isolated incident and the dog involved has now been taken to be destroyed.

"I hope the two girls and the man who were attacked get the care and attention they need and make a speedy recovery while our investigation into what happens continues."