Barnsley teenager suffered 'deep wounds' to legs after family dog attacked her
Officers were called out to Darfield
A teenager in Barnsley has suffered bite wounds to her legs after the family dog turned on her.
Officers were called out to Darfield yesterday lunchtime (April 4th).
When Police arrived they found a 17-year-old girl with deep wounds to her leg caused by the family Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
It's believed she was in the living room when she got up to answer the door and was attacked when she returned.
The teenager was taken to hospital for treatment - the dog was signed over to police, and has been put to sleep.
Police have said as enquiries with the parents continued, it was also reported this is not the first time the dog has bitten someone.
PC Paul Jameson, an officer within the team leading the work on dangerous dogs in South Yorkshire said:
“All dogs can be aggressive; they are animals, but some dogs have greater capability to cause harm due to their size and strength and characteristics.
“We always urge parents to never leave children unsupervised with dogs, but in this case, the victim is nearly an adult and did not provoke the dog in anyway.
“It’s a stark reminder that all dogs, no matter how long they have been part of your family, can attack. Animals can’t express things to us, but understanding their behaviour, body language, what is normal and not normal, can prevent injury. In certain breeds these signs may not be as obvious or easy to identify as others.”