What should have been a simple walk home from school turned into a terrifying and life-altering experience for one father and his three young children in the UK. Rowan Skinley was making his usual journey back home after picking up his kids from school when tragedy struck in a way no parent could ever anticipate. His 3-year-old daughter, Bunnie, was suddenly and viciously attacked by a dog—an incident so brutal that it nearly claimed her life.
As reported by The Mirror, Rowan was walking with his children in Kent, England, when a Cockapoo—described as a small dog with sandy-colored fur—lunged at Bunnie without warning. In a matter of seconds, the playful atmosphere of their walk was shattered. The dog dragged the toddler to the ground and inflicted horrifying injuries on her arm. According to Rowan, it was as if his daughter’s arm had been “ripped open,” with torn skin exposing the raw damage beneath.
The attack occurred on a narrow walkway alongside a main road, not far from a local primary school. Despite the bustling location, the attack was so sudden that Rowan had no time to react before the damage was done. Witnesses rushed over to help, and emergency services were quickly called. Rowan did everything he could to keep his daughter stable while waiting for medical professionals, including physically holding the skin on her wounded arm together with his own hands.
“I was just so shocked,” Rowan told The Mirror, still visibly shaken as he recounted the traumatic scene. “All I had to stop the bleeding were my hands. I just had to hold her skin together and wait.”
To make matters worse, the dog’s owner reportedly fled the scene after the attack. She left no name, no contact information—nothing. This act of cowardice has left Rowan and other members of the community outraged and concerned for the safety of others, especially young children. Witnesses who saw the incident said Bunnie didn’t provoke the dog in any way; she hadn’t even reached her hand out when the dog attacked. The owner simply vanished, leaving the terrified child bleeding in her father’s arms.
Bunnie was first taken to Medway Maritime Hospital, where doctors evaluated the extent of her injuries. Given the severity, she was transferred the following morning to St Thomas’ Hospital in Westminster. There, she underwent multiple X-rays to ensure the dog’s teeth had not punctured her bone. She then underwent emergency plastic surgery to repair the torn tissue in her arm. The surgery was made even more complex by Bunnie’s preexisting health conditions—she suffers from a lung condition and severe asthma, which placed her in a high-risk category for anesthesia and sedation.
Now back at home, Bunnie is on the road to physical recovery, but the emotional scars remain. According to Rowan, his daughter is still deeply traumatized by the event. “She’s doing well physically,” he shared, “but she’s very shaken. She keeps talking about how scared she is of dogs now.”
The family is now grappling with the emotional fallout and is seeking justice. Rowan expressed deep concern not just for his own children but for others who could be at risk if the dog and its owner are not identified. “It’s really upsetting that the woman didn’t stop. It makes you worry about the safety of other children,” he added.
Kent Police have launched an investigation into the attack and are asking for the public’s assistance. A spokesperson confirmed that officers are still working to identify the dog’s owner and urged anyone with information to come forward. People who live in the area are encouraged to check any CCTV or doorbell camera footage they might have from the time of the incident. If you witnessed anything or can provide footage, you are asked to contact Kent Police at 01634 792209, referencing case number 46/102876/25.
While dog attacks are not unheard of, it is extremely rare for them to escalate to such a brutal level—particularly when the victim is a small child. Most people expect that a dog being walked in public, especially near a school, would be well-behaved and under control. Sadly, that was not the case here.
This harrowing incident has ignited broader conversations about dog ownership responsibility and public safety. Rowan and his family are hoping that sharing their story will not only bring the person responsible to justice but also raise awareness about the importance of keeping pets under control at all times—especially in areas populated by children.
A moment that should have been filled with laughter and routine turned into a parent’s worst nightmare. One minute, Rowan was walking hand-in-hand with his children, and the next, he was trying to stop his daughter from bleeding out. The psychological toll on both parent and child is immense, and it will likely take a long time for them to fully recover.
For now, Rowan’s primary focus remains on helping his daughter heal—both physically and emotionally. But beyond his personal ordeal, he also hopes that no other family will have to go through what his did. Accountability is critical. The public’s help is crucial. And perhaps most importantly, this incident serves as a stark reminder that safety can never be taken for granted, especially when it comes to our children.
What started as just another afternoon walk turned into a horrifying ordeal that left a little girl scarred for life and a father grappling with heartbreak and anger. All because of one unleashed dog—and an owner who chose to run instead of taking responsibility. Now, more than ever, this family needs answers, support, and justice.
