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This horrific video shows an eight-year-old girl being mauled by a pit bull, leaving her with broken bones and needing six surgeries.

In the clip, an out-of-control dog is seen chasing the girl who tries to run away but is knocked to the ground by the dog which bites her legs.

The animal then drags the terrified girl around the floor while savaging her leg – shaking its head from side-to-side while it tears at her skin.

Struggling in its grip, the girl manages to aim a couple of kicks at the dog but its jaws remain locked down on her.

(Image: AsiaWire)

A man leaps out of a nearby apartment brandishing a spade and whacks the dog around the head so hard that the end breaks off.

He stands over the frightened girl protectively, until the dog gives up and trots way.

The girl, known as Yin-Yin, was attacked while walking to her aunt and uncle’s home in the city of Hebi in China on February 16.

In the month since the attack, Yin Yin has undergone six surgeries at Henan People’s Hospital in provincial capital Zhengzhou, after medics diagnosed her with a broken arm and leg.

Her medical bills have cost her family more than 160,000 RMB (£17,900 GBP) which they have begged and borrowed from friends and relatives.

The dog’s owner, who has not been named, has compensated the family just 37,000 RMB (£4,140) so far, and local authorities are assisting in negotiations for a better deal.

(Image: AsiaWire)

Yin Yin is now in stable condition, but further surgeries are likely in the coming weeks.

Ms Jia, the girl’s mum, said her daughter ran from the dog after it had bitten another boy and began chasing her.

The child’s uncle, Mr Jiang, told local media that the girl was heading to a family's home because her school was closed due to coronavirus.

(Image: AsiaWire)

He said: “Because of the outbreak, she has been taking lessons online. Her aunt and uncle are teachers, so she goes to their house to take classes, then they supervise her homework.

“She was walking to her uncle’s home when the attack happened. They live only a few buildings away. Her left forearm is fractured, and there are serious lacerations and bites on her left leg below the knee.

“Forty minutes before the attack, the dog was already wandering around the residential district.”

Mr Jiang claimed the pooch is used for dogfighting, but local authorities are yet to reveal further details.