The mother of a 10-year-old girl who was savagely attacked by two rottweilers has praised the child's grandmother for helping to save her.

Rhianna Kidd was attacked by the dogs while riding her bicycle in Dundee on Sunday. The primary school pupil is being treated for a fractured jaw and has had to have plastic surgery.

A 33-year-old woman has now been charged in connection with the attack under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Speaking from her daughter's hospital bedside, Rhianna's mother Lisa, 30, said: "If it hadn't been for Mum, those dogs would have ripped Rhianna to pieces. She didn't hesitate when she saw the dogs attacking Rhianna.

"Mum recently broke her ankle and ribs in a fall and is still in pain, but she managed to get to my daughter in time."

The two dogs involved in the attack, who were traced by police, were destroyed on Monday after being held in police kennels.

Irene Grady, the girl's grandmother, saw the dogs set upon the youngster as she pedalled towards her home in Dryburgh Street in the city. She had been dropped off by her father moments earlier.

Mrs Grady, 56, described the dogs as acting like "killing machines" when they set on Rhianna.

She said: "It happened that quickly, in minutes. Rhianna was screaming, she was covered in blood, absolutely covered. She looked in a bad way to me. She's so thin. What chance would Rhianna have? She's not big for her age. She's 10 but she looks about eight. It was like a horror movie."

A Tayside Police spokeswoman told STV News that the woman will be cited to appear in court at a later date.

She added: "The woman has been charged under section three of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 for failing to keep the dogs under control and a full report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal."

A new law on dogs was passed by the Scottish Parliament earlier this year and is being implemented by local authorities. Under the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act, councils will have to compile a list of potentially dangerous dogs.

A written notice will be issued to owners of dogs that have been out of control and councils will have the authority to order the animals' destruction if they fail to comply with safety measures.

IN DETAIL:

• 10-year-old girl in hospital after savage dog attack