Sheffield mum and three children trapped as dogs fought - police

A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and child neglect, police said

A mother and three young children were trapped in a room while three dogs fought inside a home, police said.

Officers were called to a property in Sheffield on Saturday, and seized five dogs, believed to be bully XLs and Cane Corso breeds.

A baby was among the children trapped in the house while the animals fought.

South Yorkshire Police said one person suffered minor injuries and a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and child neglect.

He has since been released on bail.

'Aggressively fighting'

Police said the woman had locked herself and the children in a room for their own safety.

Officers said the dogs were significantly underweight and three of them were believed to be "aggressively fighting".

Two of the animals had illegally cropped ears.

Ch Insp Emma Cheney said: "We are not here to take dogs away from their families, we are not here to put dogs to sleep, we are here to protect people, especially those who cannot protect themselves, such as children."

She urged people to contact police if they have concerns about dogs or the safety of children.