A dog took hold a five-year-old girl's leg and didn't let go for 15 minutes in an attack which left 'blood in the street'.
The youngster was said to be playing in her garden when a Staffordshire Bull Terrier jumped over a fence and attacked her around 11.40am on Tuesday.
Officers were called to the scene where they found the child and her mum, in her 20s, who was attacked as she tried to rescue her daughter.
Both were taken to hospital for treatment, according to The Echo.
The dog has since been signed over by its owner for destruction.
One woman who witnessed the incident said: "The mother came out screaming and the dog turned around and attacked the mother.
"The dog never let go for about 15 minutes while the owner was hitting the animal and screaming for police.
"Blood was on the pavement where neighbours had rescued the little girl that was attacked and taken them to the other side of the road while the dog was still attacking the woman.
"The dog finally let go when one of the owners distracted it and it was then grabbed and thrown into the house."
A large number of police vehicles were seen in Liverpool's Vauxhall area following the attack this afternoon.
The little girl, who was left bleeding as a result of the incident, was heard screaming in the street for her mum while she was being checked over by ambulance crews.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We were contacted at 11.40am today to reports a woman and child had been bitten by a dog.
"Officers were called to Barmouth Way in Vauxhall and found a woman in her 20s and a five year-old girl had suffered leg injuries. They have both been taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries.
"The dog, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, has been signed over by the owner for destruction."
