Adelaide toddler in hospital after pet dog attack

Two-year-old Alaruh was bitten by her family dog. Photo / 7News

A two-year-old girl was recovering in the hospital overnight after her family’s dog mauled her face.

Little Alaruh, from Adelaide, was at home when the 35-kilogram pet South African Boerboel, called Joop, set upon her at about 1.30pm on Monday.

She was rushed to the hospital by paramedics with superficial facial injuries, police said.

Alaruh’s father Chris Walker told 7News that he heard Joop growling before he found the animal attacking his daughter.

Neighbour Anthony Dear found the dog in the street and locked it in his garage.

The girl’s father Chis Walker with the dog, Joop. Photo / 7News

“He wasn’t aggressive or anything,” Dear said of Joop.

“I don’t know why it snapped down there,” he told the Advertiser.

Dear added that Walker looked as if he would have killed the dog if he had been given the chance.

Rangers from the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Council were filmed seizing the dog at the property on Camilla Avenue in Osborne.

The little girl’s family did not want to speak to the media, driving off while a reporter was asking questions.

A man shouted at the camera crew from the home.

The child’s current condition is unknown, with paramedics rushing the child to the hospital.

Her father was emotionally distressed due to the incident, neighbours said.

A neighbour said that paramedics were "everywhere" after the attack. Photo / 7News

“Obviously freaking out a little bit because one of his kids was hurt,” the neighbour said.

“The ambos were just pulling up as I pulled in.

“The dog was down here and the ambos were everywhere.”

The council has been contacted for comment.