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Back to school!
A LEYLAND youngster who needed 50 stitches after being savaged by a dog has been able to rejoin her friends at Leyland St Anne's Catholic Primary School.
Amber Bower,of Lowther Crescent, has amazed friends and family by her recovery after being savaged by a friend's pet Doberman.
The 10-year-old had to undergo two hours of surgery after suffering bites to her face, a puncture wound to her arm and scratches to her leg and back in the frenzied attack.
She also had a tear duct ripped out of her right eye but she insisted on rejoining her pals when St Anne's Catholic Primary School restarted after the half-term.
Proud stepfather Peter Critchley, 36, said her recovery was little short of miraculous.
He said: "The doctors told us she could be off schoool for several weeks but she wanted to get back straight away. She's literally been counting down the days.
"You hear about kids bunking off but she's the opposite. She's a model pupil. When she came back home on Monday she had a big beeming smile on her face.
"She's still got stitches in her eyelid but most of the wounds were to her skull. You normally only see this sort of bravery in films but she's the real deal. When it happened she was the one calming me and her mum down!
"Although the physical injuries are healing she's still suffering nightmares so there's a way to go."
St Anne's headteacher Michael Barrett said: "We are delighted that she's back at school and seeing her nice smile again.
"All her friends have been waiting for Amber to come back - it's been a difficult time for her and all the staff and students have given her support.
"We're happy to have her back."
Mr Critchley is hoping the attack on his stepdaughter will bring about a change in the law so that dangerous dogs are muzzled at all times to prevent other children from being scarred for life.
The Leyland Trucks engineer, said: "I am worried that some people keep these kinds of dogs, but if they have them they should stick to the law.
"It should be made law that the dogs are muzzled so these type of attacks don't happen.
"We have two pet labradors she loves to play with but she's very wary of Dobermans and Rottweilers because of what she's been through."
Amber was mauled by the dog when she was enjoying a sleepover at her friend's house on Downham Road, Leyland last month.
The animal was destroyed after the attack.
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Weather for Leyland
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
