‘Blood smeared on walls’: Horror dog attack leaves family reeling

Two people are in hospital after a beloved pitbull-cross turned on its family unexpectedly.

A six-year-old child was forced to hide in a bathroom while his mother and uncle were being mauled by the family’s beloved pitbull at a home in Adelaide’s inner north.

Colicchie, a shar pei cross pitbull, had reportedly been with the family for eight years before it turned on the owner‘s 39-year-old sister and 42-year-old brother on Tuesday.

A relative, who did not want to be identified, told Nine News the child was screaming out of fear and that a two-year-old infant was also at home at the time of the dog attack.

“He (the child) was that frightened, he just wanted big cuddles from his mum because his mum cuddles him every night,” the relative told Nine News on Wednesday.

Colicchie, a shar pei cross pitbull, had reportedly been with the family for eight years before it turned on its owners. Picture: Nine

The relative, who was in shock, said there was blood smeared across the walls of the house and bite marks on doors. The mother, they said, had been on the ground with the dog.

“She got dragged around by the dog, it was horrible,” they said.

“Her eyes were rolling in the back of her head and I was just screaming.

“We had to put hot water over the dog so that he could stop attacking my daughter.”

A relative reported seeing bite marks on the doors. Picture: Nine

They said the dog had tried to pry the door open. Picture: Nine

Eventually, the woman was reportedly able to escape and locked the dog in a bedroom.

“My daughter had to hold onto the door so that he couldn‘t come out,” the relative said.

“But, he had his teeth ripping at the door trying to open it.

“He‘s that strong, he’s lucky he didn’t get the door open.”

Neighbours told Nine they heard “a lot of yelling and screaming” before police arrived.

In a statement, SA police said police and ambulance crews were called to the house on Blight St in Brompton about 8.30pm on Tuesday after reports that a dog had bitten its owners.

“A woman and man were taken to hospital for treatment with the woman requiring surgery on her arm. The dog was seized by the local council,” police said.

Blood was also seen smeared on the walls and the door. Picture: Nine

Two people attacked by the dog were forced to take refuge in a bedroom. Picture: Nine

“The police came in and they were frightened as well,” the relative said.

“I want him put down. I don‘t want dogs in my life ever again.”

The owner confirmed to Nine that dog would be put down on Thursday.

The victims – the mother and uncle – remain at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

The attack comes as pressure mounts to ban dangerous dog breeds in Queensland, including some pitbulls.

The state government is considering a Bill to ban five breeds considered dangerous, including pit bull terriers.

The laws would also strengthen punishments for owners of dangerous dogs involved in attacks.

Originally published as ‘Blood smeared on walls’: Horror dog attack leaves family reeling