An eight-year-old girl has had her right hand amputated following a dog attack near Newcastle.

The attack happened at a home in the Lake Macquarie suburb of Valentine shortly before 3.30pm on Saturday, police say.

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Paramedics rushed the girl to the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle but surgeons were unable to save her hand.

A crime scene has been established at the home and police and Lake Macquarie rangers are investigating.