Police have today confirmed the breed of the four dogs that left a seven-year-old girl fighting for life in hospital yesterday as Staffordshire bull terrier crosses, not 'bull-mastiff” types as earlier believed.

Bay of Plenty Police spokesperson Kim Perks says information available to police yesterday was that the dogs were Bull-Mastiff types, but further investigations have confirmed the breed.

Police at the semi-rural property in Murupara.

Investigations have also established that the dogs were registered and micro-chipped family pets that were in a secure on the owner's semi-rural Murupara property.

All four dogs were put down by a vet immediately after the attack on the seven-year-old Japanese girl, which happened about 1.30pm on Monday.

The girl was playing at a family friend's property when she was mauled by four dogs.

Police say there were adults on the property at the time, and the girl's family are friends with the owner of the dogs, who is cooperating with police.

'There was no requirement for the dogs to be seized as the owner immediately took steps to have them put to sleep by a vet,” says Kim.

'The circumstances as to what prompted the dogs to attack are still being investigated and it is too early to say whether any charges will be laid.”

Immediately after the incident a neighbour helped the family and drove the girl to the Murupara Medical Centre where she was flown by the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter to Rotorua Hospital.

Pilot Art Kowlaski said the girl suffered extensive injuries to the majority of her face, as well as puncture wounds to both arms, legs and hips.

She was transferred to Middlemore Hospital overnight where she has undergone surgery and remains in a critical condition.

It is understood the girl moved with her family to the Murupara area at the beginning of this year and spoke little English.