100 stitches after a dog attack - but now Kira's got a puppy of her own (From Bournemouth Echo)

100 stitches after a dog attack - but now Kira's got a puppy of her own

9:52am Monday 15th March 2010 in

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A TODDLER who had her face ripped apart in a vicious dog attack has recovered so well she’s got a brand new puppy to play with.

Kira Neal, then two, was left needing more than 100 stitches to repair her face after the attack by a Staffordshire bull terrier in a pub garden.

She spent 12 days in hospital and still bears the scars of the attack, which happened two years ago.

But Kira, now four, adores dogs so much that her mum Sam Hallows, 29, has bought her a new springer spaniel puppy, 10-week-old Honey.

Sam was left in a state of shock when 22-month-old Kira was savaged at the Famous Old Pines in Wimborne Road, Bournemouth.

She said: “We were at the pub with some friends on an ordinary summer’s day, and Kira was toddling around happily.

“She loves dogs and spotted this Staffy straight away. We asked the owner if it was okay for her to stroke it and he said it was fine.

“My friend Rob was looking after her and was right next to her when suddenly the dog started growling a little bit.

“He picked Kira up to get her out of the way, but by the time he had got her up to waist height, the dog just launched itself at her.

“It clamped its jaws around her tiny face – it was horrific. I can’t remember the screams or the snarling. I went into deep shock.”

She said Kira had 60 stitches outside her face and “countless more on the inside”.

“I stayed by her side in hospital for 12 days as she recovered,” said Sam. “It was terrifying, but Kira seems to be fine now.

“We’ve just bought a new springer spaniel puppy called Honey and she absolutely loves her.

“It’s amazing to me that she’s got no fear of dogs at all.”

Kira had an operation at the end of last year in an attempt to help heal the scarring on her cheek and lip.

The dog has now been put down and Kira is due to receive compensation for her medical treatment when she reaches 18.

Sam was on medication for six months after the ordeal.

She supports new government measures to force dog owners to have insurance in case of attacks.

She said: “Fortunately the dog which attacked Kira was insured, so at least we were able to get our medical costs back relatively easily.

“All responsible dog owners should be insured and have their dogs microchipped anyway.”