Man arrested after girl mauled in Chingford dog attack Published duration 22 January 2012

image caption The park in Chingford is popular with families and dog walkers

A 56-year-old man has been arrested after a dog bit off part of a six-year-old girl's ear in north-east London.

The girl also suffered injuries to her neck and shoulder and has undergone plastic surgery at a hospital in Essex.

The attack took place at Pole Hill, Woodberry Way, Chingford, at 12:00 GMT on Saturday in front of her parents.

The man is being questioned on suspicion of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control in public. Officers have also seized a dog.

'Hold it tight'

Police said the man had been arrested after handing himself in at Chingford police station.

media caption Det Sgt Stuart Cheek on Chingford dog attack

Det Sgt Stuart Cheek, of Metropolitan Police, said the child was in the park with her parents and a younger brother when the dog attacked her.

He said: "This was an appalling incident that left a young child with serious injuries which are likely to scar her for life."

Police added that the incident was "unprovoked".

Terrence Lundy, who arrived at the park just after the girl was attacked, said he was walking his dog with his daughter and granddaughter when they saw the distressed family.

image caption Police have appealed eyewitnesses to the attack to help with the inquiry

Mr Lundy said: "This woman came running down with her husband and another little kid, so obviously a family of four, and she was holding on to her ear and screaming 'Keep your dogs away from my daughter. Keep your dogs away from my daughter'.

"I ran over there to her. I knew something had happened.

"She said, 'My daughter's ear's bitten off' and I took all the handkerchiefs out of my pocket, because I always keep handkerchiefs and I said 'Put that on her ear and hold it tight.'"

Police have said other people were in the park who have not yet come forward.