 |
Two-year-old Natasha Marriett was visiting a relative's home with her mother when she was savaged by a Staffordshire bull terrier, leaving her with horrific injuries. |
UNITED KINGDOM -- Two-year-old Natasha Marriett was visiting a relative's home with her mother when she was savaged by a Staffordshire bull terrier.
The little girl was nearly blinded after the animal sank it's teeth into her face, just centimetres from her right eye.
Natasha required three hours of surgery after she was left with a broken nose and had two teeth removed so surgeons could stitch wounds inside her mouth.
Natasha's nine-year-old sister Rachael watched in horror as the dog pounced and started biting into her on Sunday evening at a relative's home in Downhill, Sunderland.
A young relative attempted to pull the dog away before Natasha's mum, Margaret Baxter, 41, rushed to her assistance.
The toddler was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital for treatment.
Ms Baxter, of South Hetton, Sunderland said: 'It all happened so quickly.
'The kids were playing with the dog in the dining room and we were in the kitchen when we heard a noise like someone falling down the stairs.
'It was a crashing sound and then just loads of noise. We went through and saw them trying to pull the dog off Natasha.
'I flew over to where she was and stayed with her while we waited for the ambulance.
'It was horrendous and difficult to believe what happened.'
 |
| Natasha required three hours of surgery after she was left with a broken nose and had two teeth removed so surgeons could stitch wounds inside her mouth. |
But her family fear the attack may have long-term effects on the little girl, who is now too scared to leave home.
'She's up and about now, but she won't go out,' Ms Baxter said. 'She's a bit self-conscious of it all, which makes sense because her face is a mess.
'There's absolutely nothing I can do except hope and pray she gets better and isn't scarred for life.
'Doctors have said it's too early to tell yet what the long-term injuries may be. We're all just praying at the moment.'
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman confirmed they received a report of the attack from the ambulance service on Sunday at just after 10.25pm.
She added: 'Officers attended the scene where the girl was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital to be treated for a cut to her eye and lip.
'Her injuries are not life-threatening. Inquiries have been carried out into the incident.'
It is understood the dog was not put down after the attack and no charges have been made.
(Daily Mail, May 5, 2011)
