A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl suffered bite wounds to both her legs after being attacked by two Staffordshire bull terriers.

The youngster suffered puncture wounds to both thighs in the attack near her home in Blackburn at 4.30pm yesterday.

She was taken to Blackburn Infirmary and later returned home.

Inspector Steve Haworth said the dogs had been kept in a rear yard at a house in Dickens Street, Audley, but ran through the house and escaped when the front door was left open.

He added: "We are every grateful to two local men who saw what was happening and managed to kick the dogs away.

"Without their early intervention, there may have been more injuries to this girl."

The two rescuers were Zahid Varachhia, of Walter Street, and Sajid Mahmood, of Copperfield Street.

Mr Haworth said: "There is a clear message for dog owners -- if you have got dogs that may be dangerous ensure they are secured in such a way that they cannot get out themselves or be released by someone rather less responsible than the owner."

Inspector Haworth said the dogs were back in the care of the owner but that police were making inquiries to ensure there had been no previous incidents with the dogs.

If there had, he said, the dogs would be destroyed.