A father has described the horrific moment a dog came close to mauling his seven-year-old daughter.

Daniel Bullion was walking home in Carlton Colville on Thursday (June 20) evening, when the German Shepherd ran at his daughter Caitlyn.

Having wrapped its paws around her waist, the dog repeatedly bit Caitlyn's back and only relinquished its grip as Mr Bullion's shouting grew louder.

Caitlyn, whose three-year-old sister witnessed the terrifying ordeal, was left with a number of scratches and bite marks.

"We were walking towards our house on Chaukers Crescent when I saw a man trying to get a German Shepherd into his van," said Mr Bullion.

"It was getting agitated by another dog in the back of a nearby car and, as my daughters ran along the pavement, it suddenly bolted at Caitlyn.

"All German Shepherds are big but this was a large dog. If it had got hold of my three-year-old it would've been head height - and could have been a lot worse.

"The man, who I presume was the owner, didn't once said sorry. He came over to see whether the injuries were bad but there was no apology."

Scarred by an attack which happened just a few yards from her own home, Caitlyn was assessed in hospital and given a course of antibiotics before returning home.

Several days on, Mr Bullion says the sequence of events remains imprinted in his thoughts and looks set to have a long-term effect on his daughter.

"I think when you see a big dog like that jumping up at your daughter and biting her, you automatically think the worst is going to happen," he added. "Hearing her scream was awful and I don't know what I would've done if it refused to let go.

"My daughter is still feeling pretty scared. She keeps asking whether the van is there, although we haven't seen it since. Our local park is a dog-friendly place and my daughters love it there, but now Caitlyn doesn't want to go back.

"I would never want any harm to come to a dog but for me this dog was clearly dangerous."

Police say enquiries into the attack will be carried out in due course.