A seven-year-old girl was seriously injured in a dog attack in Kirkby, prompting brave local residents to intervene. This latest incident follows a string of dangerous dog attacks in the area, raising urgent calls for stricter regulations and responsible ownership of high-risk breeds.
In a distressing incident in Kirkby, a seven-year-old girl faced a savage attack from a dog, prompting neighbours to spring into action. Emergency services were alerted just before 6pm on Thursday, May 29, following alarming calls about two individuals suffering from dog bites. Reports indicated that the girl sustained injuries to both her arm and leg while a 22-year-old woman also sustained serious bitten wounds yet, fortunately, all injuries were deemed not life-threatening. The dog, suspected to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was subsequently detained by authorities.
Eyewitnesses vividly recounted the horror of the situation. One resident, speaking to a local news outlet, described the shock and chaos, recalling the sight of children screaming and running in fear. He shared the harrowing moment when the dog pulled one of the girls to the ground, saying, “When we looked back, the dog had actually got one of the girl’s and pulled her to the ground. I ran over then and my wife threw bricks at the dog, which you can see smashed on the ground, and they just bounced off the dog’s head.” Such courageous intervention highlights the quick thinking of locals in a moment of crisis.
This incident is not isolated; Kirkby has witnessed a troubling string of dog attacks. Recently, a three-year-old girl was severely injured by a dog outside the Market Tavern pub on September 2, 2023. In this case, the child suffered significant facial injuries, although they too were considered non-life-threatening. The dog, which was identified as a Pit Bull Terrier—an outlawed breed in the UK—was seized and is slated to be humanely destroyed. The owner, a 31-year-old man from Ormskirk, was arrested on several charges, including owning a dog deemed dangerously out of control.
The rise in dog attacks has ignited widespread concern within the Kirkby community, leading authorities to reiterate the need for responsible pet ownership. In a follow-up to the previous incidents, the owner of the banned breed that attacked the three-year-old was sentenced to 16 months in prison in October 2024 after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the attack. These cases underscore the pressing issue of dangerous dogs in public spaces and the responsibilities owners bear in preventing such tragedies.
Amidst the fear and uncertainty following these attacks, community dialogue has emerged, emphasising the necessity for stricter regulations concerning dog ownership, particularly for breeds associated with aggressive behaviour. Local authorities, along with police, are urging witnesses from any dog-related events to come forward, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of these dangerous incidents.
As Kirkby grapples with these distressing events, the calls for better education on dog ownership and more vigilant community measures are becoming ever more critical. The courage shown by locals in times of crisis not only exemplifies the strength of community but serves as a poignant reminder of the need for preemptive action to prevent future tragedies.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2062699/neighbours-throw-bricks-dog-mauls-girl-7-street-before-air-ambulance-lands – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-66710250 – A three-year-old girl was attacked by a dog outside the Market Tavern pub in Kirkby, Merseyside, on 2 September 2023. The child sustained significant facial injuries but was not life-threatening. The dog, identified as a Pit Bull Terrier—a banned breed in the UK—was seized and will be humanely destroyed. A 31-year-old man from Ormskirk was arrested on suspicion of affray and having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place. Police are appealing for further witnesses to come forward.
- https://www.merseyside.police.uk/news/merseyside/news/2024/october/man-jailed-after-three-year-old-girl-injured-in-dog-attack-in-kirkby-last-year/ – In October 2024, Harris Vinten, 32, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after his banned-breed dog attacked a three-year-old girl in Kirkby, Merseyside, in September 2023. The child suffered significant facial injuries and required hospital treatment. Vinten pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury. The dog was seized and humanely destroyed with the owner’s consent. Vinten was also banned from owning dogs for four years.
- https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2023-09-03/three-year-old-left-with-significant-facial-injuries-after-dog-attack – A three-year-old girl was attacked by a dog outside the Market Tavern pub in Kirkby, Merseyside, on 2 September 2023. The child sustained significant facial injuries but was not life-threatening. The dog was seized and will be examined to determine its breed before being humanely destroyed. A 31-year-old man from Ormskirk was arrested on suspicion of affray and having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place. Police are appealing for further witnesses to come forward.
- https://www.merseyside.police.uk/news/merseyside/news/2023/september/man-arrested-after-dog-attack-in-kirkby/ – Merseyside Police responded to reports of a dog attack on a three-year-old girl outside the Market Tavern pub in Kirkby, Merseyside, on 2 September 2023. The child was taken to hospital for treatment of serious but not life-threatening injuries. The dog was seized and will be examined to determine its breed. A 31-year-old man from Ormskirk was arrested on suspicion of affray and having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place. Police are appealing for further witnesses to come forward.
- https://news.sky.com/story/man-arrested-after-reports-a-dog-bit-a-three-year-old-girl-in-the-face-in-kirkby-12954000 – A 31-year-old man was arrested after reports that a dog bit a three-year-old girl in the face outside the Market Tavern pub in Kirkby, Merseyside, on 2 September 2023. The child was taken to hospital for treatment of serious but not life-threatening injuries. The dog was seized and will be examined to determine its breed. Police are appealing for further witnesses to come forward.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-66700588 – A three-year-old girl was seriously injured after being bitten on the face by a dog outside the Market Tavern pub in Kirkby, Merseyside, on 2 September 2023. The child was rushed to hospital, and the dog was seized and will be humanely destroyed. A 31-year-old man from Ormskirk was arrested on suspicion of affray and having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place. Police are appealing for further witnesses to come forward.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The incident described occurred on May 29, 2025, and has not been reported elsewhere, indicating originality. However, the narrative references a similar event from September 2, 2023, involving a three-year-old girl, which may raise questions about the freshness of the content. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material suggests a higher freshness score but warrants attention. ([merseyside.police.uk](https://www.merseyside.police.uk/news/merseyside/news/2024/october/man-jailed-after-three-year-old-girl-injured-in-dog-attack-in-kirkby-last-year/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The direct quote from a resident about the dog pulling a girl to the ground and the subsequent actions taken by the wife are not found in earlier reports, indicating potential originality. However, the phrasing and content are similar to descriptions in previous incidents, which may suggest reused content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Express, a UK-based tabloid known for sensationalist reporting. This raises concerns about the reliability and potential bias of the source. Additionally, the Express has a history of publishing recycled content, which may affect the credibility of the report.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The report describes a dog attack in Kirkby, a location with a history of similar incidents, including a notable case in September 2023. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material suggests a higher freshness score but warrants attention. The narrative’s tone and structure are consistent with typical news reporting, though the sensationalist language used may be a tactic to attract readers.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The report presents a recent incident in Kirkby, supported by direct quotes and specific details, indicating potential originality. However, the Express’s history of publishing recycled content and the sensationalist tone raise concerns about the reliability and freshness of the information. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material suggests a higher freshness score but warrants attention. Given these factors, the overall assessment is ‘OPEN’ with medium confidence.
