A six-year-old girl was severely injured in the face by her family’s dog during a 48-hour series of ‘unexpected’ canine assaults on children.
Mia underwent two surgeries after being bitten by the family’s two-year-old ‘Pocket Bully,’ named Bane.
This ‘unexpected incident’ was one of three brutal attacks on children initiated by dogs within a 48-hour window at the close of January.
A 16-year-old girl from Rossington was initially assaulted on the arm by a Cane Corso, which can weigh up to 50kg, on January 29.
Graphic photographs illustrate a significant piece of skin hanging from the girl’s arm, necessitating reconstructive surgery.
The dog’s owners consented to the animal being euthanized on-site by law enforcement.
Mia subsequently became a victim of her own dog, all due to the family’s ‘beloved’ Pocket Bully feeling ill.
The six-year-old had ‘pushed’ on her dog’s belly, prompting the pet to retaliate and injure the girl’s face.
‘Witnessing my daughter ensanguined due to an unforeseen incident was one of the most harrowing experiences imaginable,’ Mia’s mother conveyed to the Mirror.
‘She has a laceration on her hip, and there are numerous wounds on the right side of her face caused by the dog’s paws, in addition to a deep bite from his tooth into her cheek.’
Bane is currently being kept in police custody.
In a matter of hours after Mia’s devastating attack, a seven-year-old boy from Thorne, approximately nine miles northeast of Doncaster, was attacked by a pit bull.
The boy also sustained puncture wounds and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Police released the disturbing images of the incidents, all caused by family dogs, to alert parents about the dangers posed by these animals to young children.
The authorities stated, ‘We disseminate these images to drive home the reality that it can happen to you. Your dog can injure your child; it’s a fact that owners must acknowledge.’
Chief Inspector Cheney, who leads the department’s efforts regarding dangerous dogs, commented, ‘In 2024, we initiated 347 investigations into dangerous dog incidents involving children under the age of 15.’
‘The likelihood of being bitten by a familiar dog at home is greater than in any other setting; furthermore, children under the age of seven are at a higher risk of being attacked as they may not interpret a dog’s warning signs effectively.’
‘The strain that dangerous dogs continue to impose on our force is exceptional; within a single 48-hour span, we have regrettably witnessed children endure the painful aftermath of dog attacks.
‘We are steadfast in our commitment to public safety, and our collaboration with the NHS, various organizations, and charities carries on to mitigate attacks and protect individuals near dogs, yet pet owners must take responsibility; parents must also take action.
‘Minor adjustments to your dog’s routine or discussions with your children about respecting the dog’s space can mean the difference between safety and severe injury.’
South Yorkshire Police have previously highlighted the prevalence of dangerous dog incidents.
Just 13 minutes elapsed before armed officers were dispatched to three distinct call-outs regarding uncontrollable dogs last December.
Law enforcement agencies have been engaged in a comprehensive crackdown on dangerous and illegal dogs.
Authorities have confiscated over 4,500 suspected illegal dogs since the enactment of a new law banning unregistered XL Bullies.
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