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Bull terrier savaged little schoolgirl

Dan Thompson
9/10/2008

A LITTLE girl suffered horrific injuries after she was savaged by an English bull terrier.

Four-year-old Mya Done was left in agony after the dog sank its jaws into her leg and refused to left go.

A team of brave workmen heard Mya’s screams and managed to pull the bull terrier off the youngster.

It is the third time a Middleton child has been set upon by a dangerous dog in the last six months.

Mya’s mum, Melanie Tupman, said the little girl had been left physically and emotionally scarred by the terrifying five-minute ordeal.

She said: "It scared the life out of her. She’s frightened to death of dogs and she keeps having nightmares. Her injuries were really bad and she’s had to have plastic surgery.

"I’m so angry, it’s been happening quite a lot round here and it needs to stop."

Melanie, of Broughton Close, Langley, told how she was walking to the shops on Lakeland Court, off Wood Street, with Mya and two-year-old son CJ when the attack took place.

Melanie, pushing CJ in a pram, could only look on in horror as Mya was set upon by the dog, who was sat with its owner on a bench nearby.

Luckily, around 10 workmen darted from the shops and rescued the four-year-old from further injury. The youngster was treated at Booth Hall Children’s Hospital and had to remain absent from Bowlee Park Community school for some time.

The attack happened in May, but the spate of recent dog attacks in Middleton forced Melanie to come forward to warn others about the risks.

She said: "I think if owners have dogs they think might be dangerous, they should use a muzzle or just don’t take them out where children might be. It’s not fair that youngsters keep on getting attacked. It’s shocking and I’m just glad my two-year-old was safe in his pram or it could’ve been him too."

Police said the bull terrier’s owner has been cautioned for having a dangerous dog in a public place. Their inquiries are ongoing.

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