Girl, nine, is taken to hospital with life
A nine-year-old girl suffered life-changing injuries after she was attacked by a dog - believed to be an American Atika breed - in a quiet village.
The child was rushed to hospital after the attack which occurred shortly before 5pm in Guide Post, Northumberland, on April 17.
The dog was seized by police to protect the public and the owner agreed for it to be destroyed.
Emergency services, including police and paramedics rushed to the scene with the nine-year-old still undergoing treatment in hospital for her injuries.
American Atikas are a large dog breed and can weigh up to 9st in weight. They are known for their muscular and strong appearance and are regularly described as looking bear-like.
A nine-year-old girl suffered life-changing injuries after she was attacked by a dog - believed to be an American Atika breed - in a quiet village
American Atikas are a large dog breed and can weigh up to 9st in weight (stock pic)
They are known for their muscular and strong appearance and are regularly described as looking bear-like (stock pic)
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: 'Shortly before 5pm on Wednesday (April 17), police received a report that a dog had injured a child in the Cleaswell Hill area of Guide Post.
'Emergency services attended, and a nine-year-old girl was taken to hospital with life-changing injuries and is undergoing treatment.
READ MORE: Dog attacks have risen by a fifth in one year with police now recording more than 80 incidents a dayAdvertisement
'Officers attended the scene where - in agreement with the owner - the dog in question was seized by police in order to protect the public. The owner of the dog has subsequently agreed for the dog to be destroyed.
'While further assessment will be carried out, officers believe the dog to be an American Akita breed.'
The force said enquiries into the incident are ongoing and they have urged anyone with information to contact them by visiting the 'Report' pages of their website, or by calling 101, quoting log NP-20240417-0744.
A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) added: 'We were called to an incident at a private address in Stakeford at 4.50pm on Wednesday 17 April, but we were not required as the patient made their own way to hospital.'
It comes as it was revealed last month that the number of dog attacks have risen by a fifth in one year with police recording more than 80 incidents a day.
Police forces recorded 30,539 offences of a dog injuring a person or a guide dog last year, an investigation by the BBC found, increasing from 25,291 in 2022.
Esther Martin, 68 (pictured) from Woodford Green, London, died from being attacked by two 'unregistered' XL bully dogs just days after the ban was put in place
The dogs which attacked Mrs Martin were owned by breeder Ashley Warren, a wannabe rapper who goes by the name Wyless Man (pictured)
It comes after a ban on XL Bully dogs came into force last February following a spate of devastating attacks by the dogs, leaving people dead or seriously injured.
However, a few days after the ban, Esther Martin, 68, was mauled to death by her son-in-law's unregistered XL Bully dogs in front of her screaming grandson, aged 11.
It is understood the terrified 68-year-old had issued a warning to her tattooed 'son-in-law' Ashley Warren, 39, but it is claimed the East London wannabe rapper fired back with a foul-mouthed rant: 'No one tells me what to do with my f*****g dogs.'
Injuries and deaths after attacks by XL bully-type dogs
Jonathan Halstead, 35
Jonathan Halstead, 35 - January 29, 2020
Jonathan died from a severe neck injury and bites after being attacked in his home in Oldham, Greater Manchester by his pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bronson.
It is believed the dog attacked him when its owner suffered an epileptic fit.
Jack Lis, 10
Jack Lis, 10 - November 8, 2021
Schoolboy Jack Lis, ten, suffered catastrophic injuries after being mauled by an American XL bully dog called Beast while visiting a friend's home in Penyrheol in Caerphilly, Wales on November 8, 2021.
Neighbours and Welsh Ambulance Service paramedics desperately tried to save him but he died at the scene. Armed police destroyed the dog on site.
Adam Watts, 55
Adam Watts, 55 - December 22, 2021
Adam Watts, 55, was attacked at the Juniper Kennels and Cattery in Kirkton of Auchterhouse, near Dundee, and was pronounced dead at the scene on December 22, 2021.
MARCH 21, 2022: Undated family handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of Bella-Rae Birch
Bella-Rae Birch, 17 months - March 21, 2022
Toddler Bella-Rae Birch was attacked by her family's pet American bully XL dog when she was just 17 months old.
The vicious dog snatched the child out of her mother's arms while they were at their home in Blackbrook, St Helens, Merseyside, on March 21 last year.
Keven Jones, 62
Keven Jones, 62 - May 28, 2022
Keven Jones died after he was attacked by an American Bully XL dog in Wrexham, Wales on May 28 last year.
Ambulance workers attempted to save him but they were unable to stop his left leg bleeding.
Mr Jones was then pronounced dead at his son's house following the attack.
Joanne Robinson, 43
Joanne Robinson, 43 - July 15, 2022
Mother-of-two Joanne Robinson, 43, was killed by her American bully XL dog, Rocco, after it 'turned mad in the extreme heat' in July last year.
She died at the scene of the attack at home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire while her partner, Jamie Stead, was left with injuries to his hands, stomach and face as he tried to pull the animal off her.
Joanne's mother Dot, of Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire, revealed at the time that Rocco had previously fought with their other dog Lola - and she had warned her daughter to 'get rid of one of them'.
Ian 'Wiggy' Symes, 34
Ian Symes, 34 - August 2022
Ian 'Wiggy' Symes, 34, who is understood to have been walking a bully XL dog himself at a recreation ground in Fareham, Hampshire, died at the scene following a horrific dog attack in August 2022.
His devastated family said he was 'doing something he loved' when he died in the field in Fareham, Hampshire.
Ann Dunn, 65
Ann Dunn, 65 - October 3, 2022
Ann Dunn, 65, was found collapsed with 'catastrophic injuries' at her Liverpool home she shared with seven dogs on October 3 last year.
She was mauled to death by dogs including an American bully XL - and had been sent to hospital a year before her death because she had been bitten by a dog.
Shirley Patrick, 83
Shirley Patrick, 83 - December 3, 2022
Widowed grandmother Shirley Patrick, 83, died after being viciously mauled by an XL bully in her own home.
The retired nurse died in hospital 17 days after suffering 'life-threatening injuries' during the 'hellish' and 'violent' dog attack in Caerphilly, South Wales on December 3 last year.
Jonathan Hogg, 37
Jonathan Hogg, 37 - May 18, 2023
Jonathan Hogg, 37, was mauled to death by an American XL bully dog when it turned on him while he was looking after it for a friend.
He entered the pen when it went for him, leaving bite wounds on his arm, leg and head, an inquest heard.
He was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries after the mauling in Leigh, Greater Manchester, on May 18 this year.
Ian Price, 52
Ian Price, 52 - September 14, 2023
On Thursday, September 14, 'pillar of the community' Ian Price, 52, was attacked and killed by two 'devil' XL bully dogs after they jumped out of his neighbour's window in Stonnall, Staffordshire.
Mr Price was attacked and killed by the two dogs which jumped out of a neighbour's window yards from a primary school. He reportedly died defending his elderly mother from the animals.
The dogs bit him and ripped the clothes from his body leaving him dying in a pool of blood in his boxer shorts in the horror attack just feet from his home.
Ian Langley, 54
Ian Langley, 54 - October 3, 2023
Ian Langley, 54, was set upon on the estate in Sunderland on October 3 this year by an enormous XL bully dog which grabbed him by the neck as he bent down to pick up his Patterdale terrier pup.
The attack left Mr Langley needing CPR for around 15 minutes as emergency services fought to stop heavy bleeding from his wounds. He died from his injuries.