Girl, four, attacked by pit bull-type dog

A four-year-old girl is being treated for serious facial injuries after she was bitten by a pit bull-type dog, police said.

The youngster, whose injuries are not thought to be life threatening, was attacked at a neighbour's house in Croxteth, Liverpool.

Officers from Merseyside Police were called to the address in Unicorn Road by paramedics shortly before 3pm yesterday.

A police spokesman said: "Specialist officers from the force's dog section have established that the animal was a pit bull-type breed."

The dog has been destroyed.

Its owner, Peter Shearon, 28, of Unicorn Road, was arrested and charged with possession of a prohibited dog under section one of the Dangerous Dog Act.

He has been bailed to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on October 20.