A grandmother stabbed a dog to death after it attacked her granddaughter and tore her face apart.
The little girl, who is just three years old, had to undergo surgery after being left with serious injuries when she was ravaged by the animal at home in Como, in the province of Lipomo in Italy.
Both her nan and great-grandma intervened, and one of the women stabbed the mixed-breed hound - who was being looked after by a vet at the time of the incident.
The dog had lived with the little girl since it was a puppy, reports say.
The toddler was playing on her balcony when her elderly relatives heard her screaming.
They rushed out to a horrific sight and tried to protect her by drawing a kitchen knife to protect themselves from the ferocious creature.
Emergency services managed to save the youngster's life after administering first aid at the scene.
She was rushed to hospital with severe injuries and had undergone surgery.
The grandmother was also injured in the attack and rushed to hospital.
An investigation is currently underway at the Como prosecutor's office.
It comes as a Mirror investigation revealed there have been 15 devastating dog attacks in the UK - five involving children - since the fatal mauling of 10-year-old Jack Lis.
None of the killer pets were on the banned list of dangerous dogs.
Campaigners say the law is not “fit for purpose” and are demanding the Government ditch it.
Within weeks of Jack’s death 18 months ago, another XL Bully had killed a dad-of-five.
Adam Watts, 55, from Dundee, was a kennel owner who tried to help abused pets by gaining their trust.
The “gentle hero” was killed trying to retrain a dog that had attacked before.
It had been put into the care of Mr Watts’ kennels by police after being seized under warrant in August.
