Police investigate dog attack on Hollingwood Lane, Bradford

The incident unfolded in a matter of seconds as Habiba Memi walked along Hollingwood Lane with her daughters Fatima and Firdaus Sheikh and 10-year-old son.

“There was no time to even move or do anything,” Habiba said.

“One of them was holding my hand and one was walking just ever so slightly behind me.

“I noticed a dog was on a leash.

“Fatima hid behind the car after she sustained two injuries, one to her back shoulder and one to her front. Firdaus sustained eight injuries all over her body.

Injuries sustained in the dog attack (Image: UGC)

“Everywhere I was moving her this dog just kept moving, she would not let her leave her side. “For a minute and a half I was screaming ‘get the dog off’.

“The neighbours witnessed it from the window, they were shouting and screaming ‘get that dog away’.

“At the end she [the dog’s owner] came with her walking stick and hit the dog.”

A neighbour who witnessed the incident took the family back home. 

“The doctor said if I wasn’t there, the dog would have tore them apart,” Habiba said.

“It just kept going for her even though I was moving her to the side, it was swerving me and just going straight for the girls.

Injuries sustained in the dog attack and damage to one of the girls' coats (Image: UGC)

“It was just a really horrific incident. Everybody’s been so lovely and supportive.

“They’re lucky to be alive. It’s really scary.

“There definitely needs to be more laws put in place.

“I could be sat here with a completely different story and I’m so grateful. 

“My daughter woke up and she had a dream about the dog, that the dog was going to come. They are going to be traumatised. Everytime they see a dog they’ll be absolutely terrified. They’ve got their whole life ahead of them.”

West Yorkshire Police has launched an investigation and enquiries with the dangerous dog’s team remain ongoing. 

A spokesperson for the force said: “Police are investigating after reports a dog attacked two girls on Hollingwood Lane, Bradford on May 2.

“Two 6-year-old girls were treated in hospital for injuries.

“Enquiries are ongoing with the dangerous dog’s team.

 “Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 or use the Live Chat facility at www.westyorkshrie.police.uk/contactus quoting crime reference 13230241543.”