Six-year-old girl recovering after dog attack at Woofside Road Dog Park, Nairne in the Adelaide Hills

The parents of a six-year-old girl who was mauled by a dog at an Adelaide Hills dog park say they are considering legal action, detailing the gruesome “unprovoked” attack.

The incident happened on Sunday afternoon at Woofside Rd dog park at Nairne. Credit: 7NEWS

A young girl has been left with serious injuries after she was mauled by a dog at a Nairne park in the Adelaide Hills on Sunday afternoon.

Six-year-old Margot McNicol was playing at Woofside Road Dog Park when she was attacked by an American Staffy which witnesses say latched onto her head and began pulling her hair “like tug of war.”

Six-year-old Margot McNicol has undergone surgery after being mauled by an American Staffy at Nairne’s newest off-leash dog park in the Adelaide Hills on Sunday afternoon. Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

Mount Barker District Council say they have launched an investigation into the attack. Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

The dog’s owner allegedly left the park quickly without offering assistance or an apology.

Her mother, Christina McNicol told The Advertiser that the owner of the dog attempted to flee the scene after the attack, but was stopped and questioned by witnesses.

She said it took four adults to wrestle the dog off her daughter.

“When I ran over to her, it took us about 30-40 seconds to get the dog off her,” she said.

“I was just holding Margot’s head and her hair so her dog couldn’t keep pulling it.

“The owner was hitting the dog on its nose to try and get it to stop, and other witnesses were trying to pry the dog’s jaws open which they managed to do.”

Ms McNicol said her daughter had sustained severe wounds to her head, and was taken to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital where she underwent surgery before being discharged on Monday night.

“She ended up having about five puncture wounds on her head, and she had a big cut behind her ear from where her scalp got torn from her head which got stitched up,” she said.

“After it happened, the owner of the dog tried to leave but some of the witnesses stopped them to get their details and even got the rego details of their car,” she said.

“It wasn’t a provoked attack. The dog was actually following her, chased after her, knocked her down and then attacked her head.

Ms McNicol said her daughter is now traumatised from the incident and she and her husband are now considering taking legal action.

Mount Barker District Council says it is investigating the incident.

“Council is undertaking a comprehensive investigation including interviews with family members and witnesses to ascertain the events that led to this disturbing event,” said Natalie Armstrong, General Manager Planning and Regulatory Services.

“Council will also undertake interviews with the owner of the dog as part of the investigation process.”

Ms Armstrong said a determination on the outcome would be made once the investigation is complete.

“This may include a fine of $315 to the owner and/or issuing Control Orders which set out conditions and restrictions which apply to the dog which will address the behaviour which led to the incident,” she said.

“The determination could also lead to an order for euthanasia of the dog.”

Calling it a “horrific incident”, Ms Armstrong said the council was committed to supporting responsible pet ownership.

“Unfortunately children can be vulnerable targets for a dog attack, even from a dog they know and love,” she said.

“We want everyone in our district to be able to confidently walk down the street or go to a dog park without ever fearing the risk of a dog attack.”

Woofside Road Dog Park has become a popular space for local dog owners since opening.

“By and large, people using the park do so responsibly,” Ms Armstrong said.

“However, dogs can be unpredictable and we urge people to seek training or take other measures for their dogs if they are unsure about how they might socialise with other dogs and people.”

She added that anyone with a dog that is not sociable with others should avoid public spaces where close interaction may occur.

Council has encouraged anyone who witnesses concerning dog behaviour in public places to report it.

Margot’s parents say their focus is now on her long road to recovery — not only from her physical wounds, but from the emotional trauma of the attack.