UK: Girl savaged by dog 'serious but stable'

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Girl savaged by dog 'serious but stable'

November 12, 2005 07:05

A TEENAGE girl was last night seriously ill in hospital after she was
savaged by a pet dog.

The 13-year-old girl was attacked by a bullmastiff which bit her on the
neck, throat, arms and legs.

When the ambulance arrived at the girl's home in Vega Close, Colchester, she
was barely conscious.

Essex Ambulance Service manager John Nicholls said: "She suffered severe
wounds to her neck and throat as well as multiple bites to her arms and
legs.

"When we arrived she was drifting in and out of consciousness. We stabilised
her condition on the scene and administered fluids before rushing her to
Colchester General Hospital. Medics had been alerted and were waiting to
continue treating her."

The girl's condition was last night described as "serious but stable".

Ambulance control called for police help in controlling the dog so
paramedics could treat the girl.

Officers from Colchester police took the dog out of the way to allow
paramedics to do their work.

It was agreed the dog should be destroyed following a meeting between
police, the RSPCA and the dog's owner.

The girl's ordeal started before 2pm yesterday . Mr Nicholls' said he
believed the dog was the girl's family pet.

Bullmastiffs were originally bred as guard dogs to catch poachers. They are
a strong, powerful breed, which are protective of their families. They do
not bark much but are aggressive, although they are considered to be good
with children.