A GIRL, aged ten, was mauled by a dog in Grays.

Nicole Falzon was visiting a friend in Manor Road when she was attacked in the front yard.

The German shepherd and Japanese akita mix, pounced on the young girl, wrestling her to the ground.

Nicole, who attends Thameside Primary School, in Manor Road, was taken to Basildon Hospital and needed stitches to her face.

Nicole’s grandmother, Pamela Falzon, 54, who lives close by, said Nicole had been left badly shaken by what had happened.She said: “It was horrible.

She is terrified and has become very nervous.

“She comes to stay at mine quite often because my daughter goes to work.

“She was in her friend’s front garden when the dog mauled her.”

Nicole was rescued by her friend’s mum, who forcefully pulled the dog off her.

According to Nicole’s aunt, Toni Falzon, 24, her niece was lucky. She said: “A woman pulled the animal from Nicole, saving her from life-threatening injuries.”

A police spokeswoman said: “Police are investigating after injuries were caused to a ten-year-old girl by a dog at 9pm on Wednesday, August 6. Anyone with information can call police on 101.”