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Dog attack girl 'recovering well'

Pa
Tuesday 01 June 2010 12:36 BST

A five-year-old girl who was attacked by an American bulldog is "recovering well" in hospital, police said today.

The youngster suffered severe facial injuries in the attack, which happened at an address in Hanemill Court, Northampton, at about 7.15pm on Sunday.

Northamptonshire Police said today that inquiries were continuing into the incident.

A spokesman said: "The girl remains in hospital where she is said to be recovering well."

She was taken to hospital along with her stepfather who grappled with the animal, a family pet, to force it to release her - receiving injuries to his arm in the process.

The dog has now been humanely put down, police said. The breed is not banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act, they said yesterday.

The girl was named locally as Tanisha Hall and described by neighbours as a playful child.

A 50-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, said: "I've seen her playing out in the court.

"She's a typical little girl, whizzing around on her bike. She's very playful."

Today, police said the girl's family did not wish to make any comment.

The attack comes after 18-month-old Zumer Ahmed was mauled to death in Crawley, West Sussex, last month by a family pet also believed to be an American bulldog.

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