A MOTHER rescued her four-year-old daughter from the jaws of a dog which attacked her while they were out walking in a Hampshire park.

Two brown Staffordshire bull terriers, which were not on a lead, approached the little girl in Didben Purlieu.

One of the dogs jumped up, biting her face and scratching her body.

Her mother hauled her to safety and fortunately her injuries were not serious, but the dog's owner failed to stop.

The incident is the fourth dog attack on a child in recent weeks.

A four-year-old girl from New Milton needed emergency surgery after her face, head and neck were ripped by an Irish Staffordshire bull terrier cross.

Last Saturday a five-month-old baby was mauled to death by two Rottweilers in Leicester.

And a two-year-old boy suffered serious injuries when he was bitten all over his face and body by a Rottweiler at his home near Bognor Regis in West Sussex.

The latest attack happened in Fairview Park, off Langdown Lawn Close.

The man with the dogs is described as white, aged between 20 and 30, 5ft 9in and of thin build with short, shaved hair.

PC Jason Andrews of Hythe police said: "If it wasn't for the quick thinking of the victim's mother, who grabbed the dog and lifted her daughter to safety, the injuries may have been much worse."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hythe police station on 0845 045 45 45, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.