A seven-year-old girl was attacked by an XL bully dog while walking to a postbox to send a letter.
The incident occurred when the dangerous dog escaped from a nearby garden and mauled the young girl, named Lydia.
Her father Matt was forced to intervene during the terrifying attack - and had to physically restrain the powerful animal as it repeatedly lunged at his daughter.
Matt recalled hearing Lydia's screams and seeing blood coming from her wounds as he desperately fought to protect her from the aggressive dog.
Matt was forced to intervene during the terrifying attack - and had to physically restrain the powerful animal as it repeatedly lunged at his daughter (file photo)
PAMatt told the BBC that the XL bully which had escaped from a nearby garden was "remarkably strong".
As a result, he was forced to "lie on top" of the aggressive animal as it continuously attempted to attack his daughter.
The father frantically tried to fight the dog off as it repeatedly lunged at Lydia.
Matt explained that the situation could have been much worse than it already was.
The traumatic incident left both father and daughter shaken, with visible injuries to the young girl.
MORE XL BULLY HORROR:
Matt told the BBC the XL bully which had escaped from a nearby garden was 'remarkably strong' (file photo)
PA"I could be dealing with the fact that she's not with me and she's been killed," he said. "That kept me awake at night."
Lydia is now recovering from her injuries following the frightening ordeal - which was not life-threatening, but left permanent scars.
The dog was destroyed the same day and, last November, its owner was given a 26-week suspended prison sentence, a 12-month community order and was barred from keeping dogs for five years.
But Lydia's run-in with the banned breed is just the latest in a spate of horror attacks across the country - with new headlines emerging about deaths and injuries almost weekly.
The RSPCA says there could be as many as 100,000 XL bully dogs in Britain
GB NEWSBefore the XL bully ban was introduced last February, the Government estimated there were about 10,000 of the dangerous dogs in the country.
But Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs figures reveal that there are now more than 57,000 of the dogs registered in Britain.
Meanwhile, the RSPCA says there could be as many as 100,000 of the dogs in Britain - including many which have not been registered by owners.
It is a criminal offence to own or possess an XL bully dog in England and Wales without a valid Certificate of Exemption.
