AN eight-year-old girl has lost a hand and remains in hospital in an unknown condition after she was attacked by a dog in front of other children in Valentine on Saturday afternoon.
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Police were called to a house on The Park Chase, in Valentine Gardens Estate, just after 3pm and found the girl with injuries below her right elbow.
She was rushed to John Hunter Hospital for emergency surgery on Saturday night, but the operation was unsuccessful and her hand was unable to be saved, police said.
Speaking through a hospital spokeswoman, the girl’s parents declined to give any information on her condition on Sunday.
Inspector Gerard Lawson, duty officer for Newcastle Local Area Command, said the girl was on the street, playing in a cul de sac with other children when she put her arm underneath a fence to pat one of the three Alaskan Malamutes who lived there.
One of dogs then bit the girl, leaving her with severe injuries.
‘‘There were other children in the area playing, under supervision of an adult,’’ Inspector Lawson said.
‘‘An investigation has been launched by Lake Macquarie City Council rangers and they’re being assisted by Lake Macquarie detectives.
‘‘At no time has it been suggested the dog was out of its yard.’’
Neighbours said the girl did not live in the street but visited often to play with friends who did.
