Child 'mauled by bulldog' as cops seize pet after attack

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Police officer seized the dog (Image: Getty)
Police officer seized the dog (Image: Getty)

A child has been reportedly attacked by a bulldog in front of witnesses in a home, with cops rushing to the scene to seize the pet.

Officers said the alert came when a member of the public reported a "child being grappled to the floor by a bulldog" in the Washwood Heath area of Birmingham. Paramedics assessed the child for injuries but the kid's condition is not known yet.

The bulldog, which does not feature on the UK's banned dog list, was seized by police at the scene. Force Response took to Twitter to share the news yesterday, reports Birmingham Live. West Midlands Police said: "BHLPA C Team Stechford Response & Specialist Dog Unit officers responded to reports of a child being grappled to the floor by a bulldog in the Washwood Heath West Midlands area. "A bulldog was seized via police. West Midlands Ambulance Service arrived and assessed the Child." West Midlands Police has been approached for comment.

Last month, a seven-year-old girl was mauled by a dog while playing in a park in Merseyside. The youngster was raced to hospital after suffering bite marks to her legs and a laceration to her head in the horrific attack just before 8.30pm on July 17.

Merseyside Police said officers were called to Gorsedale Park in Wallasey following a report that the dog had bitten the child. The pet, believed to be an XL Bully - which is not a banned breed - was seized by officers.

Girl, 4, mauled to death in dog attack pictured as neighbours hear mum's screams qhiqqxitdiduinvGirl, 4, mauled to death in dog attack pictured as neighbours hear mum's screams

Earlier this year, a six-year-old boy was the victim of an attack by an American Staffordshire terrier that leapt on the lad, tearing off part of his scalp. Vick Zidko screamed in terror as he was viciously scratched and bitten on his head and back. His sister said a memory that is haunting her is her little brother "pleading with the dog to stop".

Child 'mauled by bulldog' as cops seize pet after attackSix-year-old Vick Zidko after being attacked by a dog (Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)

The boy's family saved his life by prising open the American Staffordshire terrier's clamped jaws. As his mother tried to calm him down after the savage attack, Vick asked her: "Mummy, am I dying?" He spent five days in the hospital where medics battled to reattach the torn-off piece of scalp.

The boy had more than 50 stitches in his head and face. He also suffered deep cuts to his back. In the hope of preventing yet more attacks across Britain, Vick’s loved ones have decided to speak out to support the Mirror's campaign on dangerous dogs. His dad Vitalijus said: "It's a nightmare and we never want any other family to go through this."

In the UK, it is against the law to own four breeds of dogs including Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro. The Government's website explains it is also against the law to sell, abandon, give away and breed from a banned dog. But is also explained that whether your dog is a banned type depends on what it looks like, rather than its breed or name - for example, if your dog matches many of the characteristics of a Pit Bull Terrier, it may be a banned type.

Stephanie Balloo

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