‘All of a sudden it snapped’: Council plea on dog which mauled boy, 6

The dog which allegedly attacked a six-year-old-boy requiring him to have 30 stitches and a three-hour surgery remains under investigation. Council has asked any witnesses or those with information to come forward.

Dante, 6, in hospital after he was viciously mauled by a neighbour's dog at a Rockhampton home on January 5, 2024.

A dog faces being put down after it allegedly attacked a six-year-old-boy at a Rockhampton backyard, requiring him to undergo a three-hour surgery and 30 stitches.

The American Staffordshire was picked up by Rockhampton Regional Council Local Laws officers an hour after the incident and council are now appealing for witnesses as it investigates the matter.

Young Dante was playing with his two-year-old sister and a friend in the backyard of a neighbours at a Phillips Street residence in Berserker, on Friday morning, January 5.

His dad, Andrew Skordas, who was there, said the dog was “normal and wagging its tail”.

“It was happy … then all of a sudden it snapped and mauled my son; ripped into his face,” he said.

Luckily, Mr Skordas was close enough nearby to intervene.

“I grabbed the dog by its throat and threw it,” he said.

Dante was left with cuts to both sides of jaw and face; quickly losing a lot of blood.

Many of the photos were too graphic to share.

Dante's Dad, Andrew Skardos, at hospital with him.

He was taken in an ambulance to Rockhampton Hospital about 9.30am where he underwent three hours of surgery and had to be sewn up with 30 stitches on his face and internally.

Dante also had four broken back teeth - down to the root at the back of his jaw.

His Dad said the cuts were 2cm from hitting a main artery.

He was released from hospital at 11pm that night.

Dante, 6, in hospital after he was viciously mauled by a neighbour's dog at a Rockhampton home on January 5, 2024.

A few days on from the incident and Dante’s parents say the young boy is still in a great deal of pain and is very traumatised.

“He can’t sleep properly, he’s been crawling into our bed at night,” Mr Skordas said.

“He’s been having nightmares, he says he can hear the dog growling.”

Dante’s sister is also traumatised as she witnessed it, and has been scared of her family’s own puppies at their house.

Mr Skordas said the dog could have gotten his younger daughter, which would have been much worse.

“If it had hit her … she would have been dead, she’s only tiny,” he said.

He said the dog went to attack him again after he got it off Dante, but a tradesman who was doing work nearby came and grabbed it.

Dante is on medication for the time being and has a lot of follow up appointments with his doctor and a dentist and may need plastic surgery in the future, his parents said.

A fundraiser has been created online for the family for medical bills.

Dante received 30 stitches to his face and internally.

The dog, which belonged to the neighbour’s uncle, was picked up by Rockhampton Regional Council pound officers one hour after the incident.

“Council’s thoughts go out to those who have been impacted by a dog attack on Friday,” Planning and Regulation Councillor Grant Mathers said.

“Council has seized the dog and begun investigations into the circumstances of the attack.”

Dante in hospital.

Mr Skordas was frustrated to hear the dog wasn’t euthanised and would like to see it destroyed.

“It deserves to be put down,” he said.

A less graphic photo of the cuts to Dante's face.

Council has confirmed the dog is a American Staffordshire Terrier, which are different to American pit bull terriers, and are legal to be kept in Queensland.

A spokesperson for council said the incident was still under investigation (January 15) and asked for members of the public who witnessed the incident or may information to contact council.

It is understood the dog remains at the pound.

Originally published as ‘All of a sudden it snapped’: Council plea on dog which mauled boy, 6