A three-year-old girl of Barlastone area in Lusaka has died after she was mauled by five dogs.

Police preliminary investigations indicate that today, around 11:00 hours, Tumelo Chikote and her 5-year-old brother went to play at their friends’ house within the neighbourhood in Barlastone area.

Immediately they opened the gate, they were attacked by five dogs as all of them got hold of Tumelo.

A named female who was inside the house only managed to rescue the boy.

She called for help from other members of the community who helped to rescue Tumelo who sustained deep dog bite wounds on her neck and private parts.

She was rushed to Matero Level 1 Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Her body has been deposited in the University Teaching Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.

The owner of the dogs, identified as Chanda Bwalya, aged 43, has been detained in Police custody waiting to be charged while his dogs have been taken by Lusaka City Council officials who visited the scene.

Police officers were informed that when the mother of the two children goes for work, they always go to play with their friends at the same house.