A young mother screamed in terror as her baby daughter was savaged by the family dog in front of her.
The baby girl suffered ‘serious and life-changing injuries to her face’ when she was attacked by the out-of-control pet yesterday, police have revealed.
The girl’s grandfather, 53, and her 21-year-old mother were later seen covered in blood in the street following the horrifying incident.
All three were taken to hospital where the adults’ injuries were today described as serious but not life-threatening or life-changing.
The dog was humanely destroyed after it was filmed being led into a waiting van by specialist handlers.
The baby is understood to have been attacked inside the family’s flat in Denton, Greater Manchester yesterday evening.
One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: ‘I heard a woman’s screams – it was horrible.
‘There was a lot of banging and shouting.
Police lead a dog into a police van after it attacked a baby, her mother and grandfather in Denton, Greater Manchester on Thursday
Police stand outside a police van containing the out of control dog
‘The woman kept on screaming and the man was shouting. It was terrifying.
‘The police came later dragged the dog out.’
Mother-of-three Emma Hill, 34, said: ‘I saw the baby’s granddad outside on the street
‘He was covered in blood.
‘Then I saw the young mum – she looked traumatised.
‘I didn’t even know they had a dog.
‘It’s terrifying.’
Neighbour Alan Hughes, 29, said: ‘There were police everyone and lots of blue lights.
Armed police and specialist dog handlers pictured at the scene of the attack on Baslow Road, Denton
‘The told everyone to take their kids inside as they were going to shoot the dog.
‘I think it’s the grandfather’s dog.
‘I have seen the young girl put the baby in the car.
‘She seems a very loving mum.’
Today police said her family had been left ‘understandably incredibly distressed’ by the ‘awful’ incident as they appealed for witnesses.
Armed police and paramedics descended on Baslow Road in Denton following reports of an out of control dog at about 5.50pm yesterday.
Eyewitnesses claimed people were left ‘covered in blood’ following the incident.
An air ambulance air lifted the baby girl to Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Police have not arrested anyone over the attack.
The flat was being guarded today by a lone policeman and the police cordon had been lifted.
Detective Superintendent Gareth Jenkins of Greater Manchester Police said: ‘This was an awful attack that has left a 1-year-old girl with serious and life-changing injuries.
‘Her family are understandably incredibly distressed by what happened here last night.
Baslow Road in Denton, which has been taped off after a baby and two adults were horribly attacked by a large dog
‘The family of the young girl are being supported by officers as she recovers in hospital.
‘A scene remains in place on Baslow Road in Denton in the immediate aftermath so officers can make further enquiries to establish a full timeline of events that led to this incident, we thank the local community for their patience and cooperation at this time.
‘We are now appealing for information, there were people in the area specifically on Baslow Road who may have dashcam, CCTV or mobile footage from yesterday afternoon that may be of assistance to our enquiries.’
Last night one shocked local said: ‘There’s people covered in blood and a baby’s been taken to hospital.’
‘There were others who looked injured. A dog section and armed police went in with guns.’
One local told the Manchester Evening News: ‘It happened in the flats.
‘There were lots of police and ambulances and an air ambulance.’
Families gathered outside watching as emergency services worked within the cordon last night.
