A Peaceful School Run Turns into a Terrifying Ordeal
It was meant to be a quiet, routine walk home from school — a moment that countless families take for granted every day.
But for Rowan Skinley and his three young children, an ordinary afternoon in a quiet Kent neighborhood quickly spiraled into terror.
An unsuspecting dog, a moment of chaos, and a desperate father doing all he could to save his little girl would transform this walk into a tragedy that will haunt the family for years to come.
What began as a routine trip ended with a three‑year‑old girl seriously injured, a parent thrown into shock, and a dog owner vanishing from the scene, leaving heartbreak and questions in their wake.
An Innocent Walk Becomes a Frightening Attack
Rowan was making the short walk home from school with his three children when a small, sandy‑coloured Cockapoo suddenly lunged at his youngest daughter, three‑year‑old Bunnie. Without warning, the dog pulled the girl to the ground and sank its teeth deep into her arm. The attack was brutal and swift, leaving her “ripped open,” as Rowan later recalled.
The scene unfolded just steps away from a primary school in Kent, England. Against an animal with sharp instincts and surprising strength, tiny Bunnie had no chance to defend herself. The sound of her screams drew nearby bystanders, and strangers rushed to help as Rowan acted quickly, trying desperately to control the bleeding and keep his daughter safe until medical help arrived. Meanwhile, the owner of the dog — the person responsible for this shocking attack — disappeared from the scene before authorities could arrive.
“I Was So Shocked” — A Father’s Nightmare
Recounting those moments later, Rowan said, “I was so shocked. It happened in an instant. We were just walking down the path, and the dog came out of nowhere, pulled Bunnie down, and started tearing at her. When the owner tried to pull the dog away, it ripped the skin open even more. All I could do was hold her wounds together until help arrived.”
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the little girl had done nothing to provoke the attack. “People said she hadn’t even tried to pet the dog,” Rowan shared. “Then the owner just disappeared — she didn’t stay, didn’t offer help, didn’t give any details. It’s terrifying that someone can walk away like that, leaving a child in that state.”
An Agonizing Hospital Ordeal
Bystanders acted quickly, calling for help as Rowan tried to comfort his daughter. Bunnie was rushed to Medway Maritime Hospital, where doctors worked urgently to stabilize her. The severity of the wounds meant she had to be transferred to St. Thomas’ Hospital in Westminster for plastic surgery. Medical staff conducted X‑rays to confirm that the dog’s teeth hadn’t damaged bone before operating on the deep wounds.
The ordeal was compounded by Bunnie’s medical background. Living with a lung disease and severe asthma, she was treated as a high‑risk patient for sedation and surgery. “That’s what made it even harder for us to bear,” Rowan said. “My little girl has always been fragile because of her condition, and this attack put her in even more danger. It’s devastating to think that the person responsible didn’t stay to help, or at least acknowledge what had happened.”
The Long Road to Recovery
Although Bunnie is now back home from the hospital, the emotional trauma lingers. “She’s doing well, but she’s frightened,” Rowan said quietly. “She talks about how scared she felt when the dog came at her, and those memories still haunt her. The wounds will heal, but the scars she carries inside may take much longer to fade.”
Seeking Justice and Protecting Others
Authorities in Kent have launched an investigation into the attack, hoping to locate the dog’s owner. Police are urging the public to review any CCTV or doorbell camera footage that might aid in identifying the person responsible. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Kent Police at 01634 792209, referencing case number 46/102876/25.
A Family Seeking Closure — and Change
What was meant to be a safe, carefree walk ended in a tragedy that will stay with the Skinley family forever. This brutal attack left a three‑year‑old girl scarred and traumatized — wounds that could have been prevented if the dog had been properly restrained, and if its owner had acted responsibly and with compassion.
Today, Rowan and his family are hoping for accountability, for answers, and for the public to come together to ensure that no parent or child has to experience this terror again. This incident is a sobering reminder that safety, responsibility, and accountability must always walk hand in hand — a lesson paid for in heartbreak and pain, and one that must lead to a safer future for every child.