Two toddlers attacked by dog in back garden

Two toddlers have been seriously injured in a dog attack, police have said.

The boys, aged two and three, were attacked in the back garden of a property on Johnson Avenue in Prescot, Knowsley, at about 16:00 BST on Thursday.

They were taken to hospital for treatment to puncture wounds and lacerations to their arms and legs and are in a stable condition.

An 18-year-old woman also suffered a less serious injury to her arm.

Merseyside Police said the dog was believed to have been a "bulldog type breed" and had been handed over to be "humanely destroyed".

Cn Insp Phil Thompson called the attack a "shocking incident".

"We are in the very early stages of investigating this incident and the dog has been seized at the home, he said.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the breed of the dog and identify the owner.

"As part of the investigation, officers remain at the scene to carry out witness and CCTV enquiries. If you have any information that could help our investigation, please get in touch as a matter of urgency."

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