A five-year-old suffered life-altering injuries after her neighbor’s dog bit off a portion of her cheek and pinned her to the ground.
Elsie, from Croydon, South London, was playing outside with her pals when she was assaulted by a Staffordshire bull terrier, resulting in wounds that required three surgeries.
Kirsty, Elsie’s mother, explained that in addition to her physical disabilities, Elsie has been traumatized.
She stated, “She doesn’t want to go out, especially on public transportation, since she doesn’t want people to gaze at her.”
Kirsty stated, ‘She hasn’t returned to school because she doesn’t want her friends to see her like this.’
Elsie and her nine-year-old sister Amelia were viciously attacked on September 25 at approximately 5 p.m. while playing with friends in a safe area in front of their apartment building.
Elsie’s mother observed from inside as her neighbor’s dog was unleashed into the yard without a leash or muzzle and charged directly at her daughter.
Elsie (shown) from Croydon, South London, was playing outside with her pals when she was mauled by a Staffordshire bull terrier, requiring three surgeries.
The children fled to a wall and climbed to safety, but Elsie tripped, allowing the dog to grasp her by the face as they ran.
Kirsty stated that the incident lasted barely minutes, yet it felt like an eternity. ‘I recall the feeling of panic I had upon seeing the dog on her face. She stated, “I can’t get that image out of my head.”
The mother raced to her daughter and lifted her over her shoulder to protect her from the dog.
However, the dog continued to jump on Elsie until they reached a safer neighbor’s home.
“There was blood everywhere, and a large portion of her face was missing.” Kirsty stated that a portion of her cheek was falling off and the bridge of her nose allowed one to see inside her nose.
A portion of the girl’s cheek was bitten off by her neighbor’s Staffordshire bull terrier.
She was attempting to fall asleep in the ambulance, but the paramedics kept speaking to her to keep her awake. She turned to me and said, “Mummy, it’s okay, but I have to go, I have to close my eyes now.”
The five-year-old was transported to St. George’s Hospital, where she underwent four-hour-long surgery.
Since then, she has undergone surgery twice, and her parents have been informed that she will continue to see a surgeon for the remainder of her life.
The police have confiscated both of the dogs belonging to the same owner. They continue to reside in police kennels.
On October 18, a 56-year-old woman was questioned under caution, but no arrests have been made as of yet.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman stated that their investigations are underway.
Croydon Council is taking steps to relocate Elsie and her family, but for the time being they are confronted with daily reminders of the atrocity that occurred.
Kirsty added, ‘It’s incredibly difficult to enter and exit our home and see where they used to play. When I open the door, it’s always there. I cannot look at the location where it occurred, nor can I take out the trash.
“The children find it difficult to enter and exit; I must carry Elsie and her older sister in every time.”
“It has been disastrous for our entire family. My partner and my children are all in therapy. We’re all simply traumatised.’