An attack by a Staffordshire bull terrier in North Yorkshire - yesterday, which seriously injured a 10-year-old girl - has underlined the danger of such animals.

The incident came on the same day as news that three seized dogs in Northern Ireland are finally to be put down, ending a long-running legal battle between a Co Antrim animal sanctuary and a the local borough council.

The attack in England happened near Alanbrooke Barracks in Thirsk on Thursday evening.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the girl had been bitten on the cheek and was due to undergo surgery.

The owner of the dog – a 21-year-old woman – was arrested under the Dangerous Dogs Act, on suspicion of having a dog that was dangerously out of control in a public place.

The dog in that case was put down immediately after the attack.

The local animals that are due to be killed were initially removed from the Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary by Antrim Council staff in 2006, on the basis that they fell within the banned pit bull-type category.

The Sanctuary then challenged the pit bull designation in court, triggering a series of hearings.

However, an appeal ruling in the council's favour was delivered at Antrim County Court yesterday.

The Mid Antrim Sanctuary's Acting Chair, Grace Robinson has indicated that yesterday's verdict would not be challenged: "Obviously, we are disappointed. We still believe the dogs are not a dangerous breed," she said.

"They have now been incarcerated for coming up to two years and they have had enough.

"If we appealed, would that add another year to it?"

In a statement, Antrim Council said it was writing to the Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew urging an improvement in the current legislation on dangerous dogs.

"The judgment is welcomed by Antrim Borough Council and strongly vindicates its decision to lodge an appeal seeking the destruction of three pit bull terrier type dogs seized from the Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary by council officials," it said.

(KMcA)(BMcC)