Six-year-old Maddison Hall was riding her bike at an Erskine park near her home when she was set upon by several magpies on Friday morning.

She had been wearing a helmet and a peaked cap.

A particularly vicious magpie pecked the young girl’s eye and Maddison was taken to Peel Health Campus before being transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) later that day.

Her father, Adam, was reported as saying the magpie “just would not let up on her”.

“It just kept harassing her,” he said.

“Whereas the previous ones would just fly back up and leave her alone, this one just kept pecking at her and pecking at her.

“It didn’t give up.”

It is understood Maddison has had surgery at PMH and at this stage has no sight in her right eye.

Her spirits were said to be high despite having trouble understanding what had happened to her.

The attack has prompted warnings from wildlife groups and Mandurah City Council for people to be aware of magpies swooping.

The Department of Environment and Conservation is considering destroying the magpie responsible for the attack.

Peter Lambert from the department said this was an “extreme case” and despite the magpie being a protected species they could destroy the bird at the family’s request.

He said it was not an ideal solution and conceded magpies were simply trying to defend their territory and young but acknowledged the need to protect children and other people.

“It would be horrific if another attack occurred in that area,” Mr Lambert said.

“The best way to avoid that is to avoid the area completely for the next few weeks.”

Mayor Paddi Creevey said she was sorry to hear that Maddison had such a traumatic experience and wished her a speedy recovery.

She urged people to take the advice of the Department of Environment and Conservation in dealing with magpie attacks who suggest members of the community take precautions when outside by wearing a broad-brimmed hat and protective eye equipment.