Family canine ‘assaults two throughout sport of disguise and search’ after being ‘dangerously uncontrolled’

Merseyside Police were called to an address in Sunflower Close, Woodchurch, just before midnight on Saturday to reports that a dog had attacked a man and a woman

Two members of the same family were rushed to hospital after their pet dog turned violent and attacked them during a children’s game of ‘hide and seek’.

The harrowing incident unfolded at a home on Sunflower Close in Woodchurch, when the dog became aggressive, viciously attacking a man in the houes before Merseyside Police were called just before midnight on Saturday.

When officers arrived, they found the dog still assaulting the woman. Three kids were in the house at the time, but thankfully, police managed to whisk them to safety in another room, well away from the hostile hound.

It’s believed the dog became agitated during a game of hide and seek. The police managed to subdue the dog, which is now slated for humane euthanasia. Authorities are investigating to pinpoint the dog’s breed.

The attack left both victims in hospital care for injuries that, while serious, are not life-threatening.

Neighbours at the scene recalled hearing screams when the attack happened.

An annoymous resident 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.”

Another resident said: “It was around midnight and I saw all the police cars arrive here.”

A third chimed in: “I was in bed. It was around midnight and I saw all the police cars arrive here.”

Chief Inspector Dave Atkinson and Detective Chief Inspector Andy McCourt said in a joint statement: “It is believed that the children were playing hide and seek in the house when the dog started to growl at them, the male occupant tried to remove the dog, which then attacked him.

“When the female owner tried to stop the dog, she too was attacked. The dog in this property was dangerously out of control, despite this our officers went in and bravely faced the situation before them, stopping the continuing attack by the dog and ensuring the children were safe, before managing to contain the dog and remove it from the property.

“They should be commended for their actions which prevented further serious injuries and meant that the ambulance service could get into the address to provide medical support to the injured parties before taking them to hospital.”