Toddler girl left with horrific facial injuries after being mauled by out-of-control dog she had been told was safe to pet
Ophelia Rozic, 18-months-old, was rushed to hospital after her mum claims she was bitten in the face
A TODDLER has been left with horrific facial injuries after being attacked by a dog in the street which she was told was "safe to pet".
Ophelia Rozic, 18-months-old, was rushed to hospital after her mum claims she was bitten in the face when she went to give it a kiss on Monday morning.
Her heavily pregnant mum, Nicol Rozic, 31, watched on in horror as the animal clamped its jaws around her daughter's head.
Nicol had been getting her car serviced at a garage in Heanor, Derbs., when she noticed a man waiting with a red pointer and asked whether it was safe to approach.
She said the man gave her permission but as she petted the hound it mauled her daughter as the owner "stood by and did nothing."
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Today Nicol, of Ripley, Derbs., said: "My daughter absolutely loves dogs - we have a French bulldog at home - I approached the gentleman to ask if his dog was friendly and he said yes.
"She stroked the dog and it bit her face twice. She went to give it a kiss and it just went for her.
"The owner just stood there, he didn't do anything. I'm heavily pregnant and I had to prise my daughter from the dog.
"He took the dog away, saying he was just going to put him in the car, but he never came back. I can't believe he just left.
"Ophelia's had to go back into hospital because the wounds became infected, she was on a drip with antibiotics.
"She came home from hospital on Wednesday and the surgeon thinks she might need to come back to have some work done on her cheek. He's just waiting to see how it heals."
Nicol, who lives with partner Michael Howard, 33, added: "My daughter is still not right and she is very wary of our dog now. It's been horrible -its every parent's worst nightmare."
A spokesman for Derbyshire Police said: "Our officers were called to reports that a toddler had been bitten on the face by a dog while in the waiting area of a car garage.
"The incident left the young girl with visible injuries and has understandably left both her and her family extremely distressed.
"We are now in the early stages of an investigation and in the process of speaking to witnesses and viewing CCTV."
Last week five rare American bulldogs went on the loose in Bolton with two attacking shoppers on Sunday.
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