Girl, 5, left with 'gruesome' injuries after asking to stroke dog outside shop
14.08.2023 - 16:07
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A five-year-old girl was rushed to hospital after being attacked by a dog outside a shop in what her family have described as a 'horrific nightmare'.
The incident happened at around 5pm on Saturday (August 12) in Teesside with police and ambulance crews attending. It is believed that 'beautiful and bubbly' Farrah-Leigh Nichol asked permission before petting the bully-type dog.
She is now undergoing skin graft operations on her left cheek, with her parents Danielle Kemp and Alex Nichol by her side in hospital. Kirsty Lavender, a family friend, is helping raise funds to send the youngster to Disney after her horrifying ordeal.
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She told The Mirror: “She’s beautiful, funny, bubbly, polite, just an all-round amazing child. We are all hoping this doesn’t take her personality and confidence away.”
Family friend and cake maker Kirsty, 32, said they believe the dog was a pocket bully. She told The Mirror how the little girl had been to the shop with her dad in Norton, Stockton and were on their way home when she said she was given permission to stroke the dog.
Kirsty said: “After the attack her dad scooped her up and ran home... So her sister Alexie-Leigh did see Farrah-Leigh’s face, so I can’t imagine what she’s feeling. She’s with her nanna at the moment.”
The “kind” tot was taken to hospital where she had an operation and is due for a second one on Tuesday morning (August 15). “She was making mum and dad food yesterday in the little play kitchen when she came back from her operation so fingers crossed she bounces back after this,” Kirsty said.
“She had one operation yesterday and she’s got to go down again Tuesday