Young girl rushed to hospital after vicious dog attack in Berwick

A young girl was rushed to hospital after she and her dog were viciously ambushed by two other dogs near a Berwick school during morning drop-off.

A young girl was rushed to hospital after she and her dog were viciously mauled by two other dogs outside a school in Melbourne’s southeast.

Emergency services were called to Bellevue Drive in Berwick about 8am on Thursday after a 12-year-old girl and her nine-year-old dog were attacked by two dogs that escaped from a property.

It’s understood the girl was bitten on her hand near Berwick Fields Primary School during the busy morning drop-off period.

The terrifying incident was witnessed by multiple parents and kids, who tried their best to help the pair.

The girl was assisted by an off-duty paramedic and was taken to Casey Hospital in a stable condition where she underwent surgery.

The injured dog was also taken to hospital where he underwent a six-hour operation.

It’s understood the pair were mentally and physically traumatised by the attack.

The girl’s father Mick Garratt took to social media to thank the community for their efforts in helping his daughter and dog.

“Thank you to everyone who stopped to help today,” he said.

“The dogs have been caught and the owner has been identified.

“We will leave it in the hands of the law.”

Mother Emily Garratt said she was “so grateful they were both alive”.

City of Casey’s manager of safer communities Daniel Osborne said council was investigating the incident.

He said the two dogs believed to be responsible for the attack were seized by council officers.

A Department of Education spokesperson said “the school acted immediately” to ensure there were no risk to students or staff.