The child remains in a serious condition in the Royal Children’s Hospital this morning after her scalp was torn off when the Rhodesian Ridgeback cross attacked her at her home about 7.30pm.

Paramedics said the girl suffered ‘‘horrific’’ head injuries, and when they arrived she was being cared for by her mother, who had wrapped a towel around the child’s head to stem the bleeding.

The family is believed to have been looking after the six-month-old dog at their property in Ryan Road when the animal set upon the child on the back porch.

Advanced life support paramedic Mike Jevons said they immediately cleaned and dressed the wounds to stop her bleeding and gave the child pain relief.

‘‘The four-year-old suffered horrific head injuries,’’ Mr Jevons said.

‘‘We administered pain relief through a nasal inhaler before intensive care paramedics put a drip in her arm and gave her stronger pain relief which made her more comfortable.’’

She was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a serious condition.

Cardinia Shire Council spokesman Paul Dunlop said council rangers seized the dog about 8.30pm and took the animal to the pound, where it will remain until investigations are carried out.

Mr Dunlop said the dog was unregistered. No other dog attacks have been reported at the property, he said.

‘‘There were three other dogs contained in a penned area in the yard. It was one of four dogs on the property at the time,’’ Mr Dunlop said.

He said the council would speak to the dog’s owner as part of its investigation, which could take up to a week.

‘‘Obviously it’s a sensitive situation because of the circumstances, and our thoughts are with the family at this time,’’ he said.

The investigation would also examine whether the other three dogs on the property were registered.

Victoria Police will also investigate the attack.

-with Craig Butt