A LITTLE girl is facing major reconstructive surgery after a dog ripped off most of her ear in a park.

The six-year-old was attacked in front of her four-year-old brother and her parents on a stroll in Pole Hill, off Woodberry Way in Chingford on Saturday, January 21.

The child also suffered injuries to her neck and shoulder after the Staffordshire bull terrier, coloured white with black spots, savaged her around midday, and her mother’s arms were injured as she wrapped them around her daughter to protect her.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is now facing reconstructive surgery for her right ear but may be scarred for life after the family trip to try out the telescope her parents had bought her for Christmas.

Her father said: “This was a totally unprovoked and savage attack. The dog attacked on multiple occasions and at one point, circled Evie and my wife in what looked like a ‘shark attack’ that you would see on TV.

“I hit the dog a number of times, trying to make it let go of my beautiful little girl and wife but the dog continued to attack her, despite our best efforts to protect her.

“We are a very close and loving family and this has totally devastated us. We are all in a state of shock about what has happened.”

The incident has caused outcry in the community with public figures condemning the attack.

Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith said: “I was shocked to hear that such an awful incident had happened in my constituency and in a park which I know well. My thoughts go out to the little girl and her family and I very much hope she makes a speedy recovery.”

The Staff is not a breed recognised under the Dangerous Dog Act 1991 but its owner, Gary Hindley, 56, of Woodberry Way, has pleaded guilty to allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place and causing injury.

He is to be sentenced on February 13, with the dog’s future also to be decided on that date. It is being kept in kennels until its fate is decided.

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