A father said his nine-year-old daughter is lucky to be alive after she was attacked by a dog in Bushy Park.

Police this week released images of three men they want to speak to in connection with the Easter Sunday incident.

As we reported, the girl suffered a serious bite wound to her arm while out on an Easter egg hunt with her family.

Her mother then sustained a deep bite wound to her hand. Both were taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting.

The dog also chased the girl's 10-year-old brother, leaving him with minor injuries to his arm. The attack happened at 5.30pm on Sunday, April 4.

Speaking anonymously, the father said the attack was the "most horrific experience in my life" and has left his family "scarred for life".

He told the Richmond and Twickenham Times: "As a parent, I've been having flashbacks and waking up in cold sweats reliving it.

"We were close to the Sandy Lane Gate, near the BMX track. There were a group of men sitting in the trees with three dogs smoking cannabis nearby.

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"My children were just searching for eggs in the trees when a dog appeared and mauled my daughter. I saw it in slow motion. She panicked and the dog went into a frenzy and went for her.

"My wife got in between my daughter and the dog and took a tooth through her hand. I tried to get the dog off by kicking it but it then chased my son.

"Finally, the owner ran over and jumped on the dog to control it, though it was clear he had no control over it. He tried to blame our children for running, but children deserve every right to run in a park without being mauled by a vicious dog."

The father is working with police to track down the owner of the dog, which he believes is dangerous.

"It was probably bought as a power symbol, with no idea what it was capable of," he said. "I don't know how my daughter survived it if I'm honest. It was like a shark attack, I'm amazed she didn't lose her arm."

"It's happened to us and we can't change that. But we don't want this to happen to someone else. If it had happened to a younger child, they may not have survived."

He said his family is "eternally grateful" for the treatment they received from the NHS.

Police appeal

Appealing for witnesses, Richmond Police said: "Police are looking to speak to three males involved in a dog attack causing serious injury to victims in Bushy Park on Easter Sunday 4th April at around 17.30hrs.

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"If you have information or know the males whereabouts please call police on 101 with reference to report 0703049/21, or report online on our website."

Information can also be given to the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.