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SHREDDED BY HOUNDS

Toddler savaged by pack of American Bully dogs is ‘hurt and confused by what the naughty doggies did to her’

Now three, the tot, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is slowly recovering from the horrific scars she suffered

A TWO-year-old girl who was left with horrendous injuries after being savaged by a dog is still haunted by what the "naughty doggies" did to her.

Now three, the tot, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is slowly recovering from the horrific scars she suffered - but her mother says she remains "hurt and confused".

 These are some of the American Bully Dogs living in the house next to where a youngster was attacked
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These are some of the American Bully Dogs living in the house next to where a youngster was attackedCredit: Mercury Press
 Andrew McGowan, 35, was charged with having dangerous dogs out of control and jailed for 18 months
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Andrew McGowan, 35, was charged with having dangerous dogs out of control and jailed for 18 monthsCredit: Mercury Press

So bad was the attack in May that doctors who first saw her feared she may not survive her injuries - which have left her covered in scars and with no feeling in her lower lip.

A paramedic who first saw the injured girl, told the : "It was one of the worst things I’ve come across. I’ve been to dog bites before but this poor girl was absolutely shredded by those dogs.

“It wasn’t just her head and neck – it was her whole body. She was in such a bad way and if I’m honest, I wasn’t convinced she was going to make it at first.”

Andrew McGowan bred a pack of "XXL" American Bully Dogs, four of which broke out of his garden to attack the tot.

He was last month jailed for 18 months.

The 35-year-old admitted being in charge of four dangerously out-of-control dogs he kept in an “insecure pen” in his garden.

 A court heard that Andrew McGowan failed to keep his dogs in a secure environment in his garden
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A court heard that Andrew McGowan failed to keep his dogs in a secure environment in his garden
 The dogs are not a banned breed, but were taken into custody by police
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The dogs are not a banned breed, but were taken into custody by policeCredit: Mercury Press
 Police found a total of 11 dogs living at the Liverpool property
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Police found a total of 11 dogs living at the Liverpool propertyCredit: Mercury Press
 Police were pictured arriving at the home of a suspect in the case following the horrific attack
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Police were pictured arriving at the home of a suspect in the case following the horrific attackCredit: Mercury Press

They had escaped into the Liverpool garden where she was playing with two other children, aged four and six.

A hero aunt screamed “the dog’s got the baby!” before fighting off at least one dog and rescuing the seriously injured youngster.

Cops said the attack could have been worse if the girl’s aunt had not stepped in shortly after 3.30pm, but it remains unclear if the tot will make a full recovery.

The aunt grabbed the youngster and ran with her in her arms to the front of the home, in Dingle, Liverpool, where neighbours rushed to help.

An air ambulance then took the youngster to Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

The aunt was taken to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital where she received treatment for minor injuries.

A neighbour said the aunt, who has been praised by cops for her actions, was screaming: "The dog's got the baby! The dog's got the baby!"

 Officers were seen removing evidence bags from the scene
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Officers were seen removing evidence bags from the sceneCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Police seized five dogs and five puppies following the attack in Liverpool
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Police seized five dogs and five puppies following the attack in LiverpoolCredit: Mercury Press
 The toddler was airlifted to hospital after suffering serious injuries
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The toddler was airlifted to hospital after suffering serious injuriesCredit: PA:Press Association
 Police cordoned off the house where the little girl was attacked as she played in the garden
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Police cordoned off the house where the little girl was attacked as she played in the gardenCredit: Mercury Press
 Two of the dogs seized by cops have since been humanely destroyed
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Two of the dogs seized by cops have since been humanely destroyedCredit: Mercury Press
 Five adult dogs and six puppies were found in the property
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Five adult dogs and six puppies were found in the propertyCredit: Mercury Press

The neighbour added: "I can't even actually think about it now" and was too upset to speak further.

In the aftermath of the “savage” attack cops seized dogs and arrested the owner.

Mark Wiggins, of Merseyside Police, confirmed the hounds were American Bully Dogs, which is not a banned breed, adding that there were 11 of the animals in the three-bedroom, mid-terraced property, five adults and six puppies.

Two of the adult dogs have since been humanely destroyed.

Supt Wiggins added: "There were three young children playing in that garden at the time, aged two, four and six and that the 57-year-old auntie who was in that property, was in the garden at the same time.

 Police were seen carrying evidence from the scene in Liverpool
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Police were seen carrying evidence from the scene in LiverpoolCredit: Mercury Press
 The tot's injuries were described as serious, but not life threatening
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The tot's injuries were described as serious, but not life threateningCredit: PA:Press Association
 Police launched an immediate investigation into the nature of the breed
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Police launched an immediate investigation into the nature of the breedCredit: Mercury Press

"Now she's managed to get the two older children back into the property unharmed but unfortunately she's been hurt herself with minor injuries while she's been trying to protect the two-year-old.

"She [the girl] has got extensive injuries to her face, to her neck and to her body and only time will tell if she fully recovers from that attack."

He described the victim's family as traumatised and appealed to the public to report any worries about dangerous dogs or irresponsible owners to police.

He added: "If you do insist on having a dog, you should put a muzzle on it if you have it in public."


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