A five-year-old girl has suffered devastating facial injuries after being attacked by a bully-type dog outside a shop.
The shocking incident happened at around 5pm on Saturday in Teesside with police and ambulance crews attending.
Little Farrah-Leigh Nichol was rushed to hospital with injuries to her face and is having skin graft operations on her left cheek.
Her mum and dad, Danielle Kemp and Alex Nichol, are by her side in hospital and have described online the family’s ordeal as a ‘horrific nightmare’.
It is believed the ‘polite’ youngster had asked permission before stroking the dog.
Kirsty Lavender, a family friend, is helping raise funds to send the youngster to Disney after her horrifying ordeal.
She told The Mirror: ‘She’s beautiful, funny, bubbly, polite, just an all-round amazing child. We are all hoping this doesn’t take her personality and confidence away.’
Family friend and cake maker Kirsty, 32, said they believe the dog was a pocket bully.
She revealed the little girl had been to the shop with her dad and were on their way home when she said she was given permission to stroke the dog.
Kirsty said: ‘After the attack her dad scooped her up and ran home… So her sister Alexie-Leigh did see Farrah-Leigh’s face, so I can’t imagine what she’s feeling. She’s with her nanna at the moment.’
The tot was taken to hospital where she had an operation and is due for a second one on Tuesday morning.
‘She was making mum and dad food yesterday in the little play kitchen when she came back from her operation so fingers crossed she bounces back after this,’ Kirsty said.
‘She had one operation yesterday and she’s got to go down again Tuesday morning and then wait two weeks and have another operation. Her mum and dad are a little bit lost. We are doing everything we can to make it easier on the family.’
Kirsty said the youngster asked her dad if he could stroke the dog and Alex said yes but insisted they asked the owner beforehand too.
Dad Alex later confirmed he’d given his daughter permission to stroke the dog – but the animal then suddenly turned on her.
He said: ‘She was crying and all her face was off. Her face was gone. It was just gruesome.’
He then rushed over to help his daughter who was still dangerously close to the animal Alex added: ‘I ran across to get her but the dog was right behind her. I booted it. I stamped on it.’
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police confirmed the dog was seized, adding: ‘The girl has suffered significant injuries to her face and is receiving treatment in hospital. The owner of the dog remained at the scene following the attack and co-operated with police. The dog has been seized…’
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