THE mother of a three-year-old who was attacked by a Doberman has praised paramedics and specialist hospital staff for saving her daughter’s beautiful face.

Tammie Ellis-Jones said without the quick actions of Weymouth paramedics and Maxillofacial Surgery staff at Poole Hospital her daughter Lily Carley may have lost her nose and been permanently scarred.

The 32-year-old mum told how it was the worst day of her life when she heard her little girl scream and rushed into the next room to find blood everywhere.

The youngster had been in the lounge with her dad Mark Carley, her brothers and sisters, her dad’s friend and the friend’s doberman dog, when the attack occurred.

Animal-lover Lily had been trying to play with the dog when it turned on her.

Tammie immediately called 999 and South Western Ambulance Service paramedics were quickly on the scene.

She said: “I can’t believe how amazing the paramedics were, I called them and they were there within five minutes.

“They took her to Dorchester hospital where they immediately referred her to Poole hospital.

“My mum and step dad drove us there, I had to keep looking ahead because every time I looked at Lily I fainted.

“Her nose had to be stitched back on to her face, there were also two cuts below her eyes that needed to be stitched.

“There was a lot of blood, it was horrendous, the worst day of my life.”

She added: “The Maxillofacial team were absolutely amazing, they got Lily straight into surgery.

“They’ve said she’ll definitely mend well, she might have a little bit of scarring but that should heal over time.

“Nothing permanent, they’ve saved my beautiful little girl’s face.

“The children’s ward was also really good, I didn’t have any toiletries with me and they got all of that for me.

“The police were amazing too.”

Lily was kept overnight at Poole Hospital and is now recovering at home in North Dorset.

Tammie, Lily and family, who live in Gillingham, had been visiting their dad in Easton Square, Portland, for the weekend.

Tammie added: “She’s now on painkillers and has to have antibiotics and cream to help the scars to heal. She seems a lot better and is starting to run around although she keeps getting pain.”

Lily’s dad Mark added: “I’d like to thank the staff at Poole hospital and the paramedics, they were all brilliant.”

Adam Collinge, lead paramedic for South Western Ambulance, said: “Paramedics attended and took the casualty to Dorchester hospital where she was referred to the Maxillofacial unit.

“Obviously it was serious enough for them to be concerned about her future looks. It was a Doberman, quite a big dog involved in the incident.”

Dorset Police said no charges were made against the dog owner.

The Dangerous Dogs Acts

If a dog is dangerously out of control in a public place the owner or person in charge is guilty of an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Under the legislation, a dog classed as being ‘dangerously out of control in a public place’ can be destroyed. Any owner found guilty can also face a fine or imprisonment of up to six months.

If the dog injures someone the owner can face a jail term of up to two years.

The courts may also disqualify the offender from keeping dogs.

Four breeds are outlawed by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 – Pit Bull terriers, Japanese Tosas, the Dogo Argentinos and the Fila Brasileiros or any dog bred for fighting.