A toddler is in a serious but stable condition after she was bitten by dogs in Toxteth.
Emergency services were called to a house on Cockburn Street at around 3.40pm on Sunday to reports that a child had been bitten and a woman had also suffered injuries.
The two-year-old girl suffered injuries to her head and body during the incident at property belonging to her 57-year-old aunt.
At the time of the incident, the girl was playing with her two cousins, aged six and four.
She was treated at the scene and taken by air ambulance to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where her condition is described as serious but not life threatening.
The injured woman, who rescued the child from the dogs, was taken to the city’s Royal hospital where she received treatment for minor injuries and later discharged.
Five dogs and six puppies were seized from his address address, and specialist officers are working to establish the breed of dog.
The man has been taken to a local police station where he will be questioned by officers.
Chief Inspector Dave Westby said: “This was a horrific attack which has resulted in a two-year-old girl suffering extensive injuries to her head and body.
“The investigation is in its early stages, but it is believed that the child was playing in the back garden of a relative’s address with two other children, aged four and six years, when a number of dogs from a nearby house managed to get in to the garden.
“At this stage it is believed that the little girl was attacked by more than one dog, and officers are trying to establish how many dogs were involved in the incident.
“Fortunately, a relative who was in the house was able to rescue the child from the dogs.
“I want to reassure people that the little girl is now getting the best possible care and treatment for her injuries at Alder Hey Children’s’ Hospital.
“An extensive investigation is underway to establish exactly what has happened and to determine how many dogs were involved in the incident and the breed of dogs involved.
“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident, who may have information which could help us with our investigation to come forward as soon as possible.
“This case highlights in the starkest terms the potential dangers of dogs and I would appeal to anyone with information about dangerous dogs in their area to contact us so that we can take pro-active action.”
House-to-house inquiries are being carried out in the area and Crime Scene Investigators are carrying out forensic examinations at the scene.
Detectives have since confirmed that the dogs in the incident, believed to be an American Bully breed, were assessed as not being breeds classed as dangerous dogs.
A 35-year-old man has been charged with being in charge of four dogs which were dangerously out of control at the rear of the property.
Andrew McGowan, of Cockburn Street, has been remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates Court on Tuesday, May 9.
Two of the five adult dogs seized from the property have been humanely destroyed.
Anyone with information can call detectives on 0151 777 4065, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.