Girl, 3, suffers 'significant injuries to face' after dog attacked outside town centre bar

A three-year-old girl has suffered 'significant injuries' to her face after a dog attack outside a town centre bar.

Police were called to Newton Gardens outside the Market Tavern pub in Kirkby, Merseyside, this afternoon following reports of a young girl injured in a dog attack. A police cordon remains in place as officers investigate.

The girl was rushed to hospital with serious injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, reports the Liverpool Echo.

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Merseyside Police confirmed a man has been arrested and a dog has been seized.

In a statement, the force said: "Officers were called to Newtown Gardens, outside the Market Tavern pub, just after 3.15pm following a report that the dog had bitten the child to the face.

"The girl was taken to hospital for treatment of her injuries, which are described as serious but not life-threatening.

"Officers attended and seized the dog – which will be examined to determine the breed."

A spokesperson for the Market Tavern pub said the attack happened outside in Newton Gardens.

The spokesman added: "We have CCTV which covers the area and we are working with the police. We ask all dog owners to act responsible in public areas, especially around children, our thoughts are with the little girl at this time, we hope she is ok, all our staff are really devasted as to what happened outside."