A six-year-old girl from Folkestone is in intensive care after being attacked by the family dog.

Chloe Ashman was rushed to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford after being mauled by the staffordshirer bull terrier and was then taken to the St Thomas Hospital in London for surgery.

This week her condition was described as critical by stable.

The youngster was attacked in the back garden of the home in Stuart Road.

Her mother tried to pull the dog off Chloe and the animal then attacked her.

Ashley Harrop, the partner of neighbour Emma Baker, heard the commotion, jumped over the garden wall and managed to pull the animal away from the pair.

Chloe’s mother Stacey, who also has a two-year-old son Samuel, has been at her daughter’s bedside since the attack.

Miss Baker, 17, said: "My partner got the dog off Stacey, who was trying to get the dog off Chloe.

"He grabbed its throat and strangled it to get it off.

"He’s been very distressed since it happened and has had trouble sleeping."

Neighbours described Chloe as a "friendly" and "happy" little girl.

The dog was put down following the attack last Monday, June 9.

Police are investigating.