A row erupted between the RSPCA and Oxford police today over the handling of a dog attack which left a six-year-old girl needing surgery.

A bull mastiff dog

The girl was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with injuries to her face, thighs and waist after being attacked by three bull mastiff terriers. The dogs, which belonged to one of the girl's relative, were locked inside a flat for more than two hours before they were eventually destroyed by the RSPCA at the request of their owner. RSPCA Supt Tim Wass is to complain to Thames Valley Chief Constable Peter Neyroud about a "lack of police support".

Despite two calls from the RSPCA for assistance in bringing the dogs under control, Oxford police did not respond. They have denied public safety was at risk

The girl, who was in a flat at the Horspath Road Industrial estate in Cowley with her 11-year-old brother, was attacked by the dogs shortly before 5.30pm on Tuesday.

Within minutes of the attack, her family called 999 and asked for a police escort to the hospital, where she underwent surgery for severe facial injuries. The request was declined and it was not until 7.47pm that the RSPCA says it was contacted by police.

Oxford police said the RSPCA originally declined to attend the incident and suggested the family should instead contact a vet.

At 8.17pm, the RSPCA called police to say an inspector was on his way and requested police assistance.

RSPCA spokesman Kate Geary said their inspector thought he would be answering a routine "collection call" to help police.

But when he arrived at the flat at 8.30pm, he was confronted by three "extremely aggressive" dogs.

She said police were responsible for dealing with dog attacks and the RSPCA would provide assistance if needed.

At 8.55pm, police received a second call from the RSPCA calling for two police officers to help bring the dogs under control. Calls were also received from the family.

Eventually, the RSPCA inspector managed to put the dogs down with help from the girl's father. Mr Wass said: "I've never come across this situation in my entire career. We responded to a call for help from the police, fully expecting them to be in attendance.

"We are very disappointed at their lack of support and I will be taking the matter up personally with the Chief Constable."

Supt Keith Ringsell Oxford's deputy area commander, backed the decision of the control room inspector who decided it was "not appropriate" for police officers to attend and suggested the RSPCA called in more of its inspectors.

Mr Ringsell denied it was the police's responsibility to deal with the incident.

"Officers are not trained or equipped to deal with dogs. The responsibility lies with the pet's owners," he said.