4-year-old girl attacked by dog

Photo / Thinkstock

A four-year-old girl will need reconstructive facial surgery after being attacked by a dog in Masterton this morning, say police.

The girl was patting the bull mastiff cross at the home of a family member, supervised by an adult, when the dog pinned her to the ground and bit her face.

Family members came to the girl's rescue.

The dog had been a family pet at the address for ten years "without a problem", said police. It has been surrendered for destruction and police are looking at charging the owners.

Last week a Bay of Plenty woman had her scalp torn off by an American pitbull dog after it joined in on an attack allegedly started by her sister.

- Herald Online and NZPA