AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl needed more than 20 stitches after a dog savaged her face.

Ellie Crompton was having dinner at her friend's house in Morris Green when the white boxer-Staffordshire bull terrier cross jumped up and bit her.

Her mother Samantha Crompton Thompson claims she was told by police the dog would be destroyed — so she was furious to see it back with its owners the following day.

Miss Crompton Thompson, aged 34, says Ellie has been left traumatised by the attack and was left unable to eat and sleep.

Ellie underwent emergency surgery at the Royal Blackburn Hospital’s maxillofacial unit and needed 22 stitches to her mouth, lip and nose.

The youngster, who is due to start Ladybridge High this September, was also treated for a punctured tear duct and could be left with permanent muscle damage and scarring.

Ellie’s family initially chose not to complain to police over the attack — but later changed their minds after realising the dog had not been destroyed.

Miss Crompton Thompson, of Kinzer Close, Morris Green, said: “We have been told that this dog has attacked twice before but both times has been given back to its owners.

“We are in shock, we just want our little girl to be safe.

“In our opinion, it is a dangerous dog which needs to be put to sleep. Do they want the dog to kill somebody before they act?

“We told the police we did not want to prosecute the owner because she was our friend and we did not think it was fair, but we were told by the officers the dog would be destroyed.

“So we were shocked to discover that the dog had been returned by police the following day after it was taken from its owners on the Friday night.”

The dog, called Florence, is believed to have been adopted by the family as a rescue animal from Leigh Cats and Dogs Home this February.

Miss Crompton Thompson, a stay-at-home mum said: “Ellie now doesn’t want to leave the house. She hasn’t been eating and she can’t sleep — she is absolutely terrified.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 5pm on July 24, police were called to Mars Avenue in Morris Green following a report that an 11-year-old girl had been bitten by a dog inside a house on the street.

“The girl was taken to hospital and received more than 20 stitches to cuts on her face.

“The dog was seized by pet medics. Officers spoke with the dog owners and the victim’s family, who did not wish for further action to be taken by the police at this time.

“However, following further assessment of the young girl’s injuries, the victim’s family made a formal report to the police about this matter on July 28.

“A full investigation is now ongoing into this incident.”

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "We can confirm that our dog warden visited the property a month ago, following a complaint that the dog had attacked another dog.

"We spoke to the owner at the time and advised her to keep the dog under control at all times.

“We understand that there has now been a report of an incident involving a child, and that the matter is in hands of the police.”