Two people have been rushed to hospital after their family dog turned aggressive during a children's game of hide and seek at their home in Woodchurch, Wirral.
The incident took place just before midnight on Saturday when the pet attacked a man and then a woman at the property on Sunflower Close.
Merseyside Police officers rescued three children from the scene and contained the dangerous dog - which will now be humanely destroyed.
The attack started when the dog began growling at children playing hide and seek in the house.
Police arrived at the scene to find the dog still attacking the woman
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When a male family member made an attempt to remove the violent animal, it attacked him ferociously.
Trying to help the situation, the woman then tried to intervene and stop the attack but it was in vain as her actions culminated in her too getting viciously assaulted by the canine.
Police arrived at the scene to find the dog still attacking the woman and managed to contain the situation, which enabled ambulance crews to reach the injured parties.
"I heard a scream. My other half thought it was a fox," one resident recounted.
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"Then I heard another scream from a dog, so I assumed it was some sort of dog attack. Then loads of police cars arrived."
Another resident described seeing "all the police presence" in the early hours, adding: "I saw the dog and the couple being taken away - I heard the dog mauled someone."
Chief Inspector Dave Atkinson and Detective Chief Inspector Andy McCourt praised their officers' response during the horrific attack.
"The dog in this property was dangerously out of control, despite this our officers went in and bravely faced the situation before them, stopping the continuing attack by the dog and ensuring the children were safe," they said.
Both victims are currently receiving treatment in hospital for their injuries
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"They should be commended for their actions which prevented further serious injuries and meant that the ambulance service could get into the address."
Both victims are currently receiving treatment in hospital for injuries described as serious but not life-threatening.
The dog has been handed over by the family and will be humanely destroyed.
Police are continuing their investigation to determine the breed of the animal involved in the attack.
