Two mauled by family dog while protecting children

The dog began growling at the children while they were playing, police said.

A man and a woman suffered serious injuries trying to protect three children from their dog.

Merseyside Police said the children were playing hide and seek at their home in Sunflower Close on the Woodchurch estate, Wirral, when the dog became aggressive just before midnight.

Officers said the man tried to get the dog out of the house when he was attacked. The children were unharmed.

The breed of the dog has not yet been determined and police said its owner had agreed for it to be put down.

Ch Insp Dave Atkinson praised the officers who stopped the attack, saying they had "bravely faced the situation".

When they arrived at the house the dog was still attacking the woman who was bitten in the face and suffered deep cuts to her forearms.

The man suffered serious cuts to his legs and arms.

Officers praised for bravery

Ch Insp Atkinson said the dog had been "dangerously out of control".

"Despite this our officers went in and bravely faced the situation, stopping the continuing attack by the dog and ensuring the children were safe," he said.

"They should be commended for their actions which prevented further serious injuries."