Merseyside Police were called to a house in Woodchurch after a dog attacked a man and woman within the property – there were three children in the home at the time
Two people have been rushed to hospital after their family dog became aggressive and attacked them while children in the house played ‘hide and seek’.
The incident occurred at a residence on Sunflower Close in Woodchurch, with Merseyside Police responding to the scene just before midnight on Saturday. Upon arrival, officers found the dog attacking a woman, after having already inflicted multiple injuries on a man within the house.
Three children were present during the incident, but police managed to secure them in a separate room, away from the aggressive animal. It’s thought that the dog became hostile during a game of hide and seek involving the children.
Officers successfully contained the dog and removed it from the property, where it was kept until further arrangements could be made. The owner has since surrendered the dog, which is set to be humanely destroyed. Efforts are underway to determine the breed of the dog.
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The two victims of the attack have been hospitalised and are receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. When the Liverpool Echo visited Sunflower Close earlier today, prior to the police statement, several residents reported seeing a large police presence in the early hours. One man, who chose to remain anonymous, shared: “I heard a scream.
“My other half thought it was a fox. Then I heard another scream from a dog, so I assumed it was some sort of dog attack. Then loads of police cars arrived. Everyone was looking out their windows.”
Residents of the quiet cul-de-sac were left in shock after a dog attack led to a significant police response. One local recounted: “I saw all the police presence. It was a big scene in the early hours. I saw the dog and the couple being taken away. I heard the dog mauled someone.”
Another neighbour reported:, “I was in bed. It was around midnight and I saw all the police cars arrive here.” A third added@ “It was about midnight. A dog attacked a woman. The dog was taken away at around 1am.”
Chief Inspector Dave Atkinson and Detective Chief Inspector Andy McCourt said in a joint statement: “It is believed that the children were playing hide and seek in the house when the dog started to growl at them, the male occupant tried to remove the dog, which then attacked him.
“When the female owner tried to stop the dog, she too was attacked. The dog in this property was dangerously out of control, despite this our officers went in and bravely faced the situation before them, stopping the continuing attack by the dog and ensuring the children were safe, before managing to contain the dog and remove it from the property.
“They should be commended for their actions which prevented further serious injuries and meant that the ambulance service could get into the address to provide medical support to the injured parties before taking them to hospital.”