Girl, 10, bitten by XL Bully as she plays in garden

The XL Bully, like the one pictured, was seized following the attack and remains in police kennels

Three people have been arrested after a 10-year-old girl was bitten by an unregistered XL Bully dog and needed hospital treatment for her injuries.

The attack happened at about 10:15 BST on Monday at Belvedere in Balby, Doncaster, according to South Yorkshire Police.

The dog, from a neighbouring property, "aggressively ragged" the child's head and bit her neck while she was playing in her garden, a force spokesperson said.

The girl's bleeding was brought under control and while her laceration injuries were serious, they were not believed to be life-threatening, they added.

Warning: This story contains images that some readers may find distressing.

A woman, 37, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a banned breed of dog; allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control; and of child neglect.

Meanwhile, two teenagers, aged 13 and 15, were arrested on suspicion of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control and possession of a banned breed of dog.

All three had since been released from custody, while the dog was seized and remained in police kennels, the spokesperson said.

The girl's injuries were serious but not believed to be life-threatening, police say

Ch Insp Emma Cheney, from South Yorkshire Police, said: “This incident could have had a tragic ending and led to a fatality.

"We continue to urge people to stop thinking, ‘it won’t happen to me’.

"Owners need to step up and be responsible, understand your dog, their behaviour, and keep everyone safe."

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