A six-year-old girl has undergone surgery after she was savaged by a Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog near a playground, police said.

The youngster, who has not been named, lost teeth and suffered a one inch cut to the lip when she was bitten on the face on Thursday afternoon as children made their way home from school.

She was taken to hospital following the attack at Heathfield Recreation Ground in Twickenham, south-west London, and was said to be in shock.

Her condition is described as stable.

Police are searching for a man, believed to be the dog's owner, who took the animal away shortly after the attack, which happened between 4pm and 5pm.

Det Chief Insp Martin Ward, of Richmond Police, said: "This was an unprovoked attack on a very young child. We are making extensive inquiries to trace the owner and are appealing for witnesses, or anyone who may know who the owner of this dangerous animal is, to please come forward."

The dog, which has been likened to a Staffie, is described as having a large head and a short tan coloured coat with white fur under its jaw and on the chest area.

Its owner is believed to be aged in his 30s and is said to be of Mediterranean appearance with black hair.

but do you not think that it is highly surprising that a SBT attacks a young girl.

Staffies are well known for loving people. It's other dogs that they are likely to have a go at.

They did that once near us, a dog bit a man, no owner in sight but the press said it was a husky type dog, whats a husky type

I'm sorry to hear that, and I hope that the little girl recovers well, but do you not think that it is highly surprising that a SBT attacks a young girl.

Staffies are well known for loving people. It's other dogs that they are likely to have a go at.

I have owned a DA staff. I found it really hard to deal with, but we did. We coped, and loved, and adored. But wouldn't like to go through it again. But she would never have got angry with a child

I agree with you Deb and, as you say, generally Staffies are such people dogs. it's probably one of the many reasons they have so many fans Sadly, in addition to normal owners, they seem to be favoured by many numpties who don't bother to socialise them properly, even 'train' them to become aggressive and intimidating and that is the problem

I think that 'any' dog is capable of losing their tempers, and snapping.

With the SBT, they are going to do a lot of damage due to their size & weight.

You are dead right - I find that in our area, there are lots of young men parading their staffs with the big leather harnesses! idiots!!!