Girl, 7, fighting for life after family dog rips her throat out

A girl of seven has had part of her throat ripped out in a horror attack by her family's Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Little Chloe Ashman was playing in her garden when the dog leaped on her and sank its teeth into her neck.

Chloe's distraught mum Stacey, 27, ran screaming into the garden, pulling at the dog before being attacked herself.

The mother - who also has a two-year-old son Samuel - suffered injuries in the mauling and was rushed to hospital with her daughter, where Chloe was taken into intensive care.

Chloe was critical, but in a stable condition yesterday.

But she may never talk again because of the damage to her voicebox.

A family friend said: "We don't know for definite that Chloe will be OK yet. It has been touch-and-go all week.

"She has slept most of the time because of the trauma and extent of her injuries. They only began waking her up on Friday afternoon.

"The family haven't even talked about her coming home yet - the injuries to her neck are awful." The incident happened in Folkestone, Kent. The dog has since been put down by a local vet.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "I was sitting in my garden when I heard Chloe screaming.

"The screams made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

"Then I heard Stacey shouting at the dog. I think she tried to wrestle it off Chloe. Within minutes, an ambulance had arrived and took them away."

Another neighbour said: "Chloe was in a really bad way. There was blood everywhere. The dog had shaken her like a rag doll.

"We heard that she has had her voicebox seriously damaged and might not talk again.

"It's an absolute tragedy. But if it wasn't for her mum, she'd be dead now."

Kent Police said: "Both mother and child remain in hospital where they are being treated for their injuries. The dog - a Staffordshire Bull Terrier - has been put down. No arrests were made."

Kent Social Services are also investigating the incident. A spokesman said: "There has been previous contact between Social Services and the family and an investigation is underway."

Denise Hughes, who rents the house to Stacey Ashman, said: "As per the terms of their tenancy agreement, they shouldn't have a dog at the property. Pets aren't allowed."

The attack comes after shadow home affairs minister Andrew Rosindell claimed there are more dangerous dogs in the UK than ever before.

But animal health minister Jonathan Shaw rejected the idea that the law needed reforming, saying: "New legislation is not the answer."

This month, the RSPCA said dog licences should be brought back to stop thugs using animals as weapons.

Owners would pay at least £10 for compulsory microchipping and registration unless there is a fall in the number of attacks, fights and strays, according to the charity's David Bowles.

The RSPCA warning comes amid concern at the huge rise in the number of people - especially children - who are injured or even killed by dogs.