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| Investigation ... cops at scene in Epping Forest |
Last night his daughter — horrifically mauled during a family stroll — was stable in hospital with a huge chunk of her ear missing.
She also suffered serious neck and shoulder injuries which cops fear could scar her for life.
The dog's owner was yesterday said to have ranted at the dad as he fought to free his daughter from the Staffie's jaws — blaming the girl and her little brother for the attack.
Pensioner Terence Lundy, 70, who saw the victim's mum comforting her moments later, told how he gave them a clean handkerchief to stem the blood.
The retired bus driver said: "There was also a boy aged about five in a Spider-Man costume. The dad said he punched the dog in the head and kept punching it until it let go. The owner had said, 'Can't you keep your kids under control?' He was blaming the kids for the attack."
Terence had been walking near Woodberry Way in Chingford, East London, when he saw the family of four running down beauty spot Pole Hill.
The stranger and his dog had gone. Terence said: "The little girl was in an awful way — screaming and saying, 'Mummy, mummy, help me, help me'.
"She was in massive shock. The husband said the dog owner had given him his address and he was going to go round there and kill him. Police and an ambulance came.
"A surgeon rang them and said, 'Try to find the ear'. A sniffer dog went up the hill to look for it."
The dad was also said to have joined the lunchtime search on Saturday. But it was not until yesterday — 24 hours afterwards — that a couple walking their own dogs found the missing piece of ear.
Joan Young, 44, and husband Patrick spotted their pet Jack Russell Rolo sniffing at something.
Joan said: "We looked closer and saw it was the top part of someone's ear." Patrick, 44, said: "It's so sad. We just hope the girl's all right."
The couple wrapped the ear in a plastic bag to give to police. It was not known if surgeons will still be able to sew it back.
A 56-year-old man will appear in court today charged over the incident.
The man, who police have not named, was charged with allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place and causing injury under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
He will appear in custody at Thames Magistrates Court later today.
The beauty spot where the the girl was savaged is part of Epping Forest. Local Carol Dennis, 63, said: "We're used to hearing about bodies being found in Epping Forest because of all the gangland stuff — but nothing like this."
(The Sun UK - January 23, 2012)
