Girl, 3, critical after attack by family dog

A 3-year-old girl was in critical condition after she was attacked by a dog in West Philadelphia Saturday evening.

The girl's great-great grandmother was babysitting her at a home on the 5900 block of Washington Avenue, Lt. John Walker of Southwest Detectives said. The family's Mastiff was also at the house, although its owner was not home.

Walker said the Mastiff saw the girl sitting on her great-great grandmother's lap and may have become jealous. It bit the girl on her head, and bit the great-great grandmother on her hand when she tried to push the dog away, Walker said.

The girl was in critical condition at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The dog is in the custody of the city's animal control department. Walker said the dog had no prior behavioral problems, had never bitten anyone, and has been with the family for about five years. - Aubrey Whelan