Girl, 3, mauled by a pit bull wearing a service animal vest

A toddler was walking into a restaurant when a dog in a service animal vest suddenly mauled her, dropping her like a “rag doll”. WARNING: GRAPHIC

A toddler was walking into a restaurant when a dog wearing a service animal coat pounced on her in a vicious attack.

Ronin Waldroup, 3, of Texas, was a few steps ahead of her parents and a family friend when the dog identified as a pit bull suddenly mauled her, tearing her cheek open.

“He grabbed her by the face and he shook her and I saw my baby hit the ground like a little rag doll,” mother Cleveratta Waldroup told KRIV.

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Ronin Waldroup, 3, was walking into a restaurant with her family when a dog suddenly attacked her. Picture: KTRK ABC 13

After a woman who was holding onto the dog’s leash had tugged it, friend Kimberly Parker said the pit bull released young Ronin who “just dropped like a rag doll”.

“The first thing my best friend did was grab her and put her in my arms,” Ms Waldroup said, before rushing her daughter to a bathroom to assess her injuries.

Meanwhile, Ronin’s father James Waldroup ran after the woman and dog insisting she stay because there was an accident.

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The dog, identified as a pit ball, tore open Ronin’s right cheek. Picture: GoFundMe

“She yells at me, ‘It was your daughter’s fault,” Mr Waldroup told Fox 19.

The dog owner was then seen hopping into a car and being driven away by a man, the publication reported.

However, Mr Waldroup was able to get a photo of the woman and her license plate.

The toddler was taken to hospital where she received 15 stitches in the right side of her face.

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She was taken to hospital where she received 15 stitches. Picture: KTRK ABC 13

“My husband and I walked in our bedroom, and she has my makeup brushes, trying to put makeup on her face. I asked her, ‘What is wrong? Why are you doing that?’” Ms Waldroup said.

“For a 3-year-old to turn to me and say, ‘Mommy, I’m ugly,’ it’s earth-shattering.”

While doctors told the couple their little girl won’t have any severe scarring, they did suggest a follow up with a plastic surgeon.

Ronin’s father James Waldroup ran after the woman and the dog which was reportedly wearing an animal service vest. Picture: KTRK ABC 13

To help foot the bill for medical expenses, the family have started a GoFundMe page with $10,000 raised so far.

“I’m begging for justice for my little girl,” Ms Waldroup wrote on the page.

“If you can help whatsoever with any little thing we would be so appreciative so that we can pay for legal action and continuous medical expenses.

However, the woman fled with the dog in a car that was driven by a man. Picture: KTRK ABC 13

Ronin’s parents now want justice for their little girl and have started a GoFundMe to help with trying to change laws for service animals and training. Picture: KTRK ABC 13

She said that while she understands their target of $US100,000 is a big ask, “after this dust has settled” they want to use the money to try change the laws for service animals and training.

“We love service animals of all breeds and sizes but as we are going through this we are finding more information that just about anyone can purchase a service animal vest online or wherever to have their pet out in public,” Ms Waldroup explained.

The attack took place on Saturday at The Loose Caboose restaurant in Old Town Spring, Texas. Picture: KTRK ABC 13

Ronin’s mother Cleveratta Waldroup broke down in tears after explaining what had happened to her daughter. Picture: KTRK ABC 13

“Whether we have to go through the courts system or take it all the way up to the politicians we know that with proper legal action we can change the course of action for future circumstances.”