A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl was mauled by a dog, just three days after it escaped being destroyed for another attack on a child.

Chelsea Troup underwent hours of surgery as doctors fought to save her leg after the 12-stone bull mastiff, called Kaiser, leapt on her as she played in a paddling pool.

It has been revealed that the dog was only released from police kennels three days earlier following an attack on a 14-year-old, Sean Young, who spent four days in hospital with severe arm wounds.

The latest attack happened as Chelsea, of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, played with her friend, Louise Harman, in the garden of the dog's owner, Carol McQueen, 38, on Sunday.

Neighbour Sharon Cook witnessed the attack. She said: "The dog was being splashed by the water from the pool and a hose they had running. I could see it was getting more and more agitated.

"I could hear the dog growling and I knew something was going to happen. Chelsea was standing at the garden fence talking to Louise's mum when Kaiser jumped on her.

"The dog had little Chelsea in its jaws and was just flinging her about. It was absolutely terrifying."

Chelsea's father, Mark, 31, said: "I am still in shock about what has happened.

"You might give a person a second chance, but a dog like this should not have been given another chance to attack again. It should have been done away with the first time it attacked and I hope the owner is not even going to think about keeping it after this."

Police are investigating the attack and Ms McQueen said the dog had been taken by officers.

She said: "Kaiser was taken away by the police on Sunday afternoon. I'm not feeling very good at the moment and I have been advised by my solicitor not to say anything.

"I am still in shock and I don't really want to talk about what has happened, but it is the second time and I witnessed this one. It's not going to be allowed to do it again.

"The authorities can do what they like with the dog now."