14 December 2023 , 18:14
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A pack of stray dogs were seen mauling a nine-year-old girl in a horrific attack caught on video.
The hounds pounced on the girl after she tried to befriend them, sinking their teeth into her in an attack which left her with nasty injuries. The schoolgirl, named only as Dasha, was walking along a street in her home city of Novy Urengoy, Russia, at the time.
She was bitten by the three of the four large beasts for almost a minute after they pushed her to the ground. One of the dogs was seen attacking her head, while the other two savaged her body. A fourth dog was also seen in the pack, although mercifully did not join in with the attack.
The girl was only saved because she was wearing extra thick winter clothes at the time (social media/e2w)The girl was only helped when a passerby saw the horrifying assault and rushed to her aid, forcing the dogs to flee. The man was able to help the girl back up, and another local came to help.
The girl is now in hospital with “multiple severe injuries”, Russian local media reports, which could have been fatal had she not been wearing thick winter clothes at the time due to the -22C temperatures. Pictures show nasty wounds inflicted on her head and limbs.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
According to reports, the dogs had not been vaccinated against rabies, whilst the attack has also left the child "deeply traumatised, crying and "under severe stress".
Pictures released by Russian media show the horrifying scope of her injuries“Due to the lacerations that the dogs left on the child’s calves and head, her fever has not subsided,” reported 112 news outlet. The attack comes as a rising number of stray dogs have been plaguing Russian towns and cities as money to control them is cut and diverted to fund Vladimir Putin ’s war against Ukraine.
Natalia Alekseenko, a public inspector for animal care in Novy Urengoy, said parents should stop their children going near strays. ”It is very unfortunate for this child, because she went to the dogs with good intentions,” she said.
“It is a pity that her parents did not explain to her that it is not a good idea to do this, especially with a pack of dogs….You cannot educate children to be charitable either to people or dogs, not to anyone. It's dangerous. The first thing is to switch on your brain.”
According to reports, the dogs have been caught and taken to a shelter, although it is unclear whether they will be euthanised. The city's mayor Andrei Voronov said he would be increasing the number of dog patrols to ensure safety in Novy Urengoy.
“The girl is now in stable condition in the hospital,” he said. “She has injuries that do not threaten her life. Now the entire pack has been captured…. Thanks to the passers-by, they paid attention and helped the girl.”