A schoolgirl wakes up crying after being mauled by a dog in Birmingham park

A father has said his daughter is suffering from flashbacks after being bitten by a dog in a park. Nine-year-old Aliya Rani was happily playing with her siblings and other children in Burbury Park, Lozells, at around 8pm on Sunday (July 21) when the animal suddenly pounced on her.

The dog bit the back of his leg as he tried to run away. Despite the fear and pain, the brave schoolgirl managed to fight the animal by kicking it until it let go. West Midlands Police were called and Aliya was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where she was prescribed antibiotics for a week.

Her father, Mohammad Quazi, said he had spoken to the dog’s owner and was awaiting an update. Meanwhile, little Aliya is “scared and can’t sleep.”

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The 42-year-old father of seven said the trouble happened when the dog’s owner went to speak to someone at the children’s play park. “A few of the children, including my daughter Aliya, were running and suddenly the dog started biting her from behind.

“She was crying and screaming at the time. Then the dog let go of its leg after I hit it many times.”

The police were called and they applied saline to her wounds before she was taken to the children’s hospital for care by her parents.

He added: “She was discharged at around 2am on Monday. My daughter is now very, very scared to go out and play. She gets flashbacks and cries constantly about how the dog suddenly attacked her and bit her leg.”

West Midlands Police said: “We are investigating after a 9-year-old girl was bitten by a dog in Burbury Park on Sunday evening. She was treated at the scene for puncture wounds to her leg by ambulance colleagues.”

The park, which has entrances on Anglesey Street and Burbury Street, has basketball courts, a multi-purpose play area and a playground.