The helpless girl was surrounded by dogs in the snow
The helpless girl was surrounded by dogs in the snow.
Horrific footage shows the moment a nine-year-old girl was attacked by a pack of raging dogs - she later died.

The child had been enjoying herself while out sledging in the snow near her home in the city of Stavropol, Russia. The video shows her suddenly surrounded by a number of dogs before falling over and getting up, waving her arms and calling for help.

But she then slipped again and was overwhelmed by the dogs, according to reports. Local resident Vladimir Muravyov said: "Everyone here is in shock. When a child is torn apart by dogs, it is a shock. It is a shock not only for the street, but for the city."

A man tried to save her and chased away the dogs - firing a gun - but it was too late to save the tragic child. Mayor Ivan Ulyanchenko said: "A tragedy that shook the entire city. A pack of aggressive dogs attacked a child in Stavropol when she was with other children.

"Unfortunately, it was not possible to save the girl. Doctors who arrived at the scene of the tragedy confirmed the child's death." Reports say some of the dogs that attacked the girl were shot. There were also denials that they were strays, with claims the dogs belonged to a woman who has been detained.

Vladimir Putin's regional governor Vladimir Vladimirov said there had been a "tragic incident". He said: "All circumstances will be established," he said, before adding: "My deepest condolences to the child's family.

"This is an outrageous incident. All municipalities must respond to it. Including checking how organisations authorised to work with stray animals fulfil their duties."

A criminal investigation has been launched into the girl's death. Online comments accused politicians of "doing nothing" and failing to deal with uncontrolled dogs.

Last year in Russia, a mum was attacked and killed by a pack of dogs in a separate incident. The body of Zhanna Khusainova, 48, was found on wasteland covered in bites with one leg severed and her scalp missing in the city of Kazan.

She had been on her way to a supermarket where she worked as a cashier when she was set upon by the dogs. A search for the mum-of-one had been underway after she failed to arrive for work and her body was found.