A 22-month-old girl was left with severe bruising and grazing after being bitten repeatedly by a dog in Wyndham Park.

Megan Thrush was with her parents and walking out of the toddlers’ play area in the Grantham park on Thursday evening when the attack happened.

Her father, Gavin Thrush, of Dexter Avenue, Grantham, told the Journal: “[The dog] just stood there, looked at my little girl and went for her. It bit her all down her arm.

Megan Thrush, 22 months old, was injured in a dog attack in Wyndham Park, Grantham. (16964023)

“It was off the lead. The woman whose dog it was grabbed it, said sorry and just ran off.”

He added: “Megan was standing next to her pushchair at the time. If she had fallen over while the dog was attacking her it could have been a lot worse.”

A distraught Megan was left with three large bite marks down her arm.

Megan Thrush, 22 months old, was injured in a dog attack in Wyndham Park, Grantham. (16964028)

She was taken to hospital and treated, and given antibiotics to fight off infection.

Mr Thrush said: “The very next day and on Saturday Megan was worrying. She kept looking at her arm and crying.

“It was obviously causing her some discomfort.”

The incident was reported to the police. However, Mr Thrush said he was told no action could be taken against the woman – who was only identified following a campaign on Facebook which was shared more than 800 times – as the dog, a Shih Tzu type, is not classified under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Megan Thrush, 22 months old, was injured in a dog attack in Wyndham Park, Grantham. (16964021)

This has caused the family distress, particularly as they believe the same dog continues to be walked around Wyndham Park without a lead on.

“We want that dog banned from the park,” said Mr Thrush. “We’ve had three other people come to us saying the same dog has attacked them or their dogs, so [biting Megan] wasn’t the first time.”

He added: “My daughter was taken to hospital and has antibiotics and bandages. The next one might not be so lucky.”