Boy, 4, requires surgery after Paralowie playground dog attack
A four-year-old boy was left needing facial surgery after a shocking dog attack at a suburban playground – the third attack in a week.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A four-year-old boy needed facial surgery after asking to pat a dog at Paralowie and being bitten on the face.
The Paralowie incident was the third major dog attack in Adelaide in a week, following cases in Cowandilla and Gawler South in recent days.
On Monday afternoon a woman took her son, 4, to a playground on Yalumba Drive and asked a man if the boy could pat his two cattle dogs.
They received permission but when the boy went to pat the restrained dog, the other unleashed dog bit the boy on the face, injuring his upper lip.
They are investigating the incident.
The boy was taken to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital where he required surgery for his injuries.
A spokesman for Salisbury Council said it had not been contacted about the incident.
“We would encourage the victim’s family to report this matter to council so that we may be able to assist. We urge community members to ensure dogs are securely on leads when in public,” he said.
RSPCA SA dog training co-ordinator Heather Bradley said the number of young children requiring hospitalisation as a result of dog attacks in SA was concerning.
“Children cannot read the body language of dogs which is part of the reason they are at high risk of being bitten,” she said.”
“In a recent study, children under four thought dogs showing their teeth were smiling and friendly.”
It comes as a woman was set upon by a dog in Cowandilla on Saturday morning, while walking with a group of children and holding a puppy.
The woman was mauled with no warning by the passing dog which latched on to her forearm. The owners of the dog left the scene soon after.
A spokesmanfor West Torrens Council said its animal management officer was dealing with the incident and had been in contact with the victim.
On August 31, a woman sustained serious injuries in Gawler South after being set upon by a dog on a suburban street She was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment.
Anyone who SAW the Paralowie incident can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
‘Getting worse’: Taxpayers’ $2m security bill to combat abusive tenants
Security guards have been hired to protect public housing staff to combat a sharp escalation in abuse or anti-social behaviour including death threats from troublemaker renters.
‘Watch the news’: Alleged arsonist’s threat before vet clinic blaze
An alleged arsonist warned the daughter of a family-owned vet clinic to “watch the news” before it went up in flames in a revenge attack over an exposed affair, a court heard.