Two hospitalised after being attacked by family dog during 'game of hide and seek'

Two people are in hospital after they were attacked by their family dog during a 'game of hide and seek', according to reports.

Police were called to a house in Woodchurch, Merseyside just before midnight last night to reports of the attack. The dog had attacked a man in the house, causing multiple injuries, and was attacking a woman when officers arrived.

There were three children in the property and the officers were able to get them to safety in a separate room. It is believed that the children in the house were playing hide and seek when the dog became aggressive.

The officers managed to contain the dog and get it out of the property, where they were able to keep it until it could be removed. The dog has been handed over by the owner and will be humanely destroyed.

Work is ongoing to establish the breed of dog. The two people who were attacked were taken to hospital where they are being treated for the injuries, which aren't life threatening.

Neighbours reported hearing a screams before the emergency services arrived.

One said: "I heard a scream. My other half thought it was a fox. Then I heard another scream from a dog, so I assumed it was some sort of dog attack. Then loads of police cars arrived. Everyone was looking out their windows."

A woman living in the cul-de-sac said: "I saw all the police presence. It was a big scene in the early hours. I saw the dog and the couple being taken away. I heard the dog mauled someone."

A man living on the street added: "I was in bed. It was around midnight and I saw all the police cars arrive here." Another man: "It was about midnight. A dog attacked a woman. The dog was taken away at around 1am."

Chief InspDave Atkinson and Det Chief Insp Andy McCourt said in a joint