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A two-year-old girl left seriously injured after being mauled by a pack of dogs in a “horrific” attack was saved by her grandmother, neighbours say.
The toddler was with two other children – aged four and six – in her relatives’ garden on Sunday afternoon when dogs from a nearby house got in and attacked her.
She suffered serious injuries to her head and body before a woman, believed to be her grandmother, managed to rescue her from the animals.
The child was treated at the scene in Toxteth, Liverpool, before being rushed by air ambulance to Alder Hey Children's Hospital where her condition is described as serious but not life-threatening.
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The woman who rescued the child was taken to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital for treatment for minor injuries.
One neighbour told the Daily Mail: "Her grandmother is a hero.
"You always think you’d put yourself between a child and any danger, but she’s actually done it."
Merseyside Police said a 35-year-old man from Toxteth has been arrested on suspicion of having a dangerous dog or dogs out of control.
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Police who detained him seized five dogs and five puppies from his home and are working to establish the breed of the animals.
Chief Inspector Dave Westby said: "This was a horrific attack which has resulted in a two-year-old girl suffering extensive injuries to her head and body.
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"The investigation is in its early stages, but it is believed that the child was playing in the back garden of a relative's address with two other children, aged four and six, when a number of dogs from a nearby house managed to get in to the garden.
"At this stage it is believed that the little girl was attacked by more than one dog, and officers are trying to establish how many dogs were involved in the incident.
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"Fortunately, a relative who was in the house was able to rescue the child from the dogs.
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"I want to reassure people that the little girl is now getting the best possible care and treatment for her injuries at Alder Hey Children's' Hospital.
"An extensive investigation is under way to establish exactly what has happened and to determine how many dogs were involved in the incident and the breed of dogs involved."
Anyone with information can call detectives on 0151 777 4065, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.