“A neighbor called me and asked me to check out the commotion that was happening across the road,” Mr Goude said.

“I went outside and was shocked to see a young girl being attacked by a dog.

“He had his forearm in his mouth; he was screaming and yelling as he tried to get it out; it was horrific.”

Mr. Goude said he “thought (the victim) would die” if no one intervened.

“I’ve had Staffies in the past, and this dog was larger and had a wider muzzle,” she said.

“I lost track of time, but I probably had to pin him down on the gravel for about 10-15 minutes before the police arrived.

“I wasn’t trying to be a hero; I was just doing what I had to do.”

After being rescued, he said the victim got into a nearby car.