FAMILY and friends have expressed their shock and anguish at the tragic death of a little girl who was mauled by a rottweiler on Saturday.

Twelve-month-old Kamillah Jones was in a stroller being pushed by her mother along a street in Inverell, in the state’s northwest on Saturday afternoon when a dog attacked her.

Relatives said the pair were simply on their way to visit nearby relatives just a few streets away.

Emergency services quickly arrived at the site of the tragic assault in Greaves St, but found the young child suffering critical injuries.

She was raced to Inverell District Hospital but died on the way.

Inverell local Mindy Davis was at the hospital when she heard Kamillah’s parents screaming with grief.

“We were right next to it all in the emergency ward when they tried tirelessly to resuscitate her,” she wrote on Facebook.

“It was heartbreaking hearing the parents screaming when she passed away.”

Kamillah’s aunt Ida Boney also took to Facebook yesterday, describing the events that led up to Saturday’s heartbreaking tragedy.

“She was actually being walked by her mother in a pram on the way to her granny’s house just one block away,” Ms Boney wrote.

“There are no words to describe a scene where a mother is fighting with every ounce of her being to save her baby girl.

“Our family have lost our baby girl who never got a chance to live her life.”

It’s understood the dog jumped a fence before leaping on Kamillah.

It was later seized by Inverell Shire Council rangers and police are investigating the death. A GoFundMe page for the family was set up on Saturday to help with funeral expenses and had last night raised $2000 of its $6000 goal.

“A beautiful little Angel grew her wings much too early. On the 3.3.18, little Kamillah was taken home.

“She was loved and adored by so many,” friend Alisha Lay wrote when she set up the page.

“I am trying to raise funds for my dear friend as little Kamillah’s passing was so unexpected and a tragic accident. We would love to be able to give little Kamillah the goodbye she deserves, but unfortunately (we) did not expect and my friends family are having difficulty coming up with the finances on such short notice.

“We are aiming to raise as much funds possible to help pay for the funeral costs.”

An investigation is now underway by police from New England Police District and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

There were 1196 dog attacks reported to NSW local councils from July-September 2017, with 125 children attacked and 36 people hospitalised.

There were 1228 dog attacks during the same period last year, according to the Office of Local Government.