Baby bitten on the head by dog as grandfather loses thumb trying to save her

Jonathan Pritchard
By Jonathan Pritchard
Published 21st May 2024, 14:07 BST
A family dog bit a one-year-old girl on the head in a shocking attack which also saw her grandfather lose his thumb.

The family’s seven-year-old Spaniel became aggressive with the baby who was playing with her toys - attacking her and causing injuries to her head.

Her grandfather jumped in to intervene and the dog bit his thumb off at the property in Mexborough, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire Police said.

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Both the baby and her grandfather were taken to hospital, while the family agreed to have the dog put to sleep. The force said the grandfather has been left with ‘life-altering injuries’ following the incident.

The family’s seven-year-old Spaniel had become aggressive towards a baby in the property while playing with toys. The one-year-old suffered wounds to her head and as her grandfather attempted to intervene, the dog attacked him, biting his thumb offThe family’s seven-year-old Spaniel had become aggressive towards a baby in the property while playing with toys. The one-year-old suffered wounds to her head and as her grandfather attempted to intervene, the dog attacked him, biting his thumb off
The family’s seven-year-old Spaniel had become aggressive towards a baby in the property while playing with toys. The one-year-old suffered wounds to her head and as her grandfather attempted to intervene, the dog attacked him, biting his thumb off

South Yorkshire Police said the incident was just one of 36 dog-related calls it received over the last week, as well as five overnight from Sunday to Monday, with two bull breed dogs being seized for attacking, causing serious injuries requiring hospital treatment.

Chief Inspector Emma Cheney, leading the work on dangerous dogs in South Yorkshire, said: “This incident highlights that any dog has the ability to cause harm and injury, no matter its breed. Dangerous dogs are continuing to place demand on our force and we’re urging owners to take precaution to reduce risk and injury.

“Emergency calls for dangerous dogs present a financial cost for the force every time we respond, often requiring officers from multiple teams to attend, as well as contracted kennel personnel who then transport, house and care for the dogs until action is decided.

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“Following the initial emergency response, officers then carry out safeguarding checks and referrals for vulnerable people, progress the investigation into any criminal aspects of the incident and ultimately ensure justice is secured.

“Separate from the investigative resources, the dogs seized during incidents must be cared for and kennelled until a decision is made. Already in 2024, we have had to seize over 300 dogs for various reasons, most often because they were deemed to be dangerously out of control or suspected to be a banned breed. These dogs have to be kennelled at the taxpayer’s cost.

“In addition to the cost, the hours in attendance and investigating takes valuable officers’ time away from the frontline, as well as adding further pressure to our NHS colleagues through hospital admissions and care.