A TODDLER and her mum have been left seriously injured after being mauled by their Japanese akita dog in their home.

The two-year-old girl was attacked by a beast belonging to a family member at the property in Ayrshire, Scotland yesterday morning.

1 A toddler was attaked by an akita dog (stock image) Credit: Getty - Contributor

Her mum, 46, was also savaged by the powerful animal — which can weigh up to eight stone — before it was dragged off the pair and into a neighbour’s home.

Emergency crews airlifted the stricken tot from the scene to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, where her condition was not known last night.

Her mum was taken to nearby Ayr Hospital for treatment.

One local resident last night told of their horror at the attack.

They said: “This is really bad. There’s a child involved in this.

“We don’t know how she is, she’s in the hospital.”

Cops and ambulance crews raced to the house at 9.25am today following the brutal mauling by the dog.

A neighbour revealed: “Everything was contained within the house — nobody on the street really knows what happened.

“The dog was owned by a family member — it wasn’t a random pet. We all hope the wee girl and her mum are OK.”

Cops confirmed they were called to the scene yesterday morning and said the dog had been seized by officers.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said last night: “At 9.25am, we were called to a report of a two-year-old and her mum being attacked by an akita dog in Dalrymple. Emergency services attended and the two-year-old was taken to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

“Police have seized the dog and inquiries are ongoing.”

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According to dog specialists Purina, akitas can be loyal pets but were originally bred for hunting from the 1600s onwards.

Their website describes the animals as “strong in body and character” and warns that they are “not recommended for novice owners”.

It goes on: “They are, however, very loyal to their own family. Courageous, they make for good watchdogs without barking too much.

“Their hunting instincts are strong and this should be remembered at all times.”

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