The mum of a three-year-old girl bitten in the face by her neighbour’s dog says the animal should be destroyed.

Little Holly Robinson suffered a cut above her eye and was treated in hospital after
the terrier pounced outside her home.

But the owner of the dog, a Parson Russell, insists that the animal is usually “as good as gold” and acted out of fright.

Holly was waiting for mum, Debbie, on the pavement outside her front door in Grand Drive, Herne Bay.

Mrs Robinson said: “I was just coming out the door and the dog’s literally just jumped up and bit her. The whole of her face was covered in blood.”

Neighbour Harry Swarbrick took in terrier Bobby as a rescue dog some two and a half years ago. He describes Parson Russells as “like Jack Russells with long legs”.

“I was taking him for a walk so had him on a lead,” said Mr Swarbrick, 80, who has lived in the same house with wife, Frances, for 50 years.

“The little girl was dancing on the pavement when she jumped straight towards Bobby.

“She was carrying a blanket, so all Bobby could see was this white sheet coming at him and he got frightened.”

Mrs Robinson, who turned 28 on Monday, is a full-time carer to her seven-year-old son, also called Bobby.

Her boy has cerebral palsy. While Holly managed to turn and get away from the dog, Mrs Robinson said she dreaded to think what would have happened had her son been the victim.

She said: “He would definitely have fallen over and probably smashed his head open.”

Mr Swarbrick admits that his terrier’s experience as a rescue dog means he is particularly wary of strangers.

"If that was my dog, I would have put it down myself. I wouldn’t have it round my kids nor anyone else’s" - mum Debbie Robinson

He said: “I make sure I cross the road whenever I see children. I would have done so here, but I thought they were about to get into their car.

“If I’d known what was going to happen, of course I would have led him away.”

Police have now visited Mrs Robinson and advised her that her eldest daughter, Paige, would need to be interviewed if the dog were to be destroyed.

Paige, eight, was standing nearby at the time.

“I don’t want to put her through that,” said Mrs Robinson. “And I don’t see why I should have to.

“If that was my dog, I would have put it down myself. I wouldn’t have it round my kids nor anyone else’s.”