A girl savaged by three bull mastiff terriers in Oxford will have only minimal scarring to her face, according to a family member.

The relative, who did not want to be named, said the girl, six, was recovering at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, after undergoing surgery on severe face and neck wounds.

She also suffered bites to her thighs and waist during the attack, which happened in a flat at Horspath Road industrial estate, in Oxford, on February 10.

The relative said the girl would have minimal scarring and praised surgeons and staff at the hospital.

A hospital spokesman said the girl's mother had asked them not to comment about her condition.

The incident sparked a row between the RSPCA and Oxford police over events after the attack.

The RSPCA said it was disappointed by the "lack of police support" in helping its inspector to bring the dogs, which were a relative's pets, under control before they were put down at the request of the owners.

Regional RSPCA superintendant Tim Wass said he would complain to Thames Valley Chief Constable Peter Neyroud.

Oxford police denied acting wrongly and said it was not their responsibility to deal with the attack, as it happened at private premises and the dogs were pets.