A schoolgirl is among five people who have been savaged by a dog after it 'got loose' and 'started attacking'.

The 15-year-old girl and four adults are being treated for injuries after they were viciously bitten by the dog inside a gated home at about 1pm this afternoon.

Neighbours in Formby, Merseyside, reported hearing loud barking in the aftermath of the incident.

An eyewitness reported seeing a "bloodbath" as a large dog got out onto the drive of a walled property and escaped onto the street where it began attacking people.

The dog, described by witnesses as a large Caucasian Shepherd, is reported to have begun mauling people at random in the street.

Witnesses described hearing screaming and seeing the dog pinning down one person in the terrifying attack.

Police officers and paramedics raced to the home and five people were treated for injuries, which are all believed to be minor.

A police van and sniffer dogs are still on the scene as an investigation into what caused the dog to attack is carried out.

Neighbours in Formby, Merseyside, reported hearing loud barking during the incident

The dog is understood to have escaped from the detached residence on Liverpool Road, which is surrounded by a towering perimeter wall and electronic gates.

The dog has now 'been secured', according to Merseyside Police.

The Liverpool Echo was told a postman in the road that the dog had 'got loose' and 'started attacking people'.

In a statement, Merseyside Police added: 'We can confirm officers are currently attending to an incident in Formby this afternoon, Thursday, December 13.

'At around 1pm, a report was received that a dog had bitten five people in Liverpool Road.

'Emergency services attended and five people, a 15-year-old girl and four adults are currently being treated for what are thought to be minor injuries.'