Child seriously hurt in dog attack at Woodridge

Two dogs that attacked a six-year-old girl south of Brisbane have been “swiftly and humanely” killed, with the local council continuing its push for a hardening of dangerous-dog laws.

The two dogs involved in the vicious attack of a six-year-old Logan girl have been “swiftly and humanely” killed, council has confirmed.

Logan City Council seized two unregistered bull arab dogs on Monday afternoon following the attack at a home in Woodridge.

“In the interests of public safety, the two dogs were swiftly and humanely euthanised,” a council spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

“Council’s animal management team is currently investigating the dog attack.

“Council’s thoughts are with those impacted by the incident.”

It came as the family of the six-year-old girl, who was dragged off a fence and mauled while she was playing, told how her uncle raced to her rescue and managed to pull them off her.

The girl, who has been identified as Laquarna Chapman Palmer, 6, was taken to Queensland Children’s Hospital in a serious condition after sustaining significant abdominal, chest and shoulder injuries in the attack on Ormesby St, Woodridge about 4.30pm on Monday.

She remains in a serious but stable condition and is undergoing an endoscopy to assess internal damage among her “significant” injuries.

Laquarna’s family said she had been playing on the fence when one of the neighbour’s bull arabs jumped at her and pulled her off the fence, before she was mauled by both dogs.

The Courier-Mail spoke with the young girl’s family as well as her uncle Reece Chapman, who came to her rescue, suffering injuries himself before eventually managing to pull the dogs off her.

Mr Chapman said he heard Laquarna’s screams and came running to the fence.

Laquarna Chapman Palmer, 6, was taken to Queensland Children’s Hospital after sustaining significant abdominal, chest and shoulder injuries in the attack.

The family said if he hadn’t heard her, the outcome may have been very different.

“It was a freak accident,” the girl’s uncle Jye Chapman, Reece’s older brother, said.

“She is currently in surgery and we are just waiting to hear from the hospital to see how it went.”

Laquarna’s mother has remained by her daughter’s bedside.

Reece Chapman required 10 stitches to his legs after being bitten by the dog as he rescued little Laquarna.

The bull arabs belonged to the family’s next door neighbour who informed the Courier-Mail both were set to be destroyed today.

Laquarna’s family said they hold no hostility towards the neighbours and described them as a “nice family”.

Regional Acting Deputy Commission Mark Wheeler said the “absolutely horrendous” incident would be reviewed by police.

“So obviously our thoughts are with the young girl, her family and the friends, and we wish her a speedy recovery,” Mr Wheeler said.

Police said the Child Protection Investigation Unit had been notified.

The incident happened in Ormesby St, Woodridge. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The horrifying attack comes just months after a 42-year-old Energex meter reader was mauled to death while working in another Logan suburb, Greenbank.

Kane Minion died after he was attacked by a bandog bull mastiff and a rhodesian ridgeback cross while working as an electricity contractor in early December.

Both the dogs were destroyed following the attack.

At the time, the Logan City Council said it would continue to advocate for tougher dangerous-dog legislation following Mr Minion’s death, including sharing all information relating to the location of menacing or dangerous dogs with relevant stakeholders.

The council spokeswoman said on Tuesday council was working with a multi-organisation task force to review the Queensland government’s animal management laws relating to cats and dogs.

“This review aims to promote greater levels of public safety through a reform of the legislation responsible for managing dogs that pose a safety risk as well as seeking ways to tackle irresponsible pet ownership practices,” the spokeswoman said.

“Council will continue to advocate for tougher dangerous dog legislation, as well as sharing with relevant stakeholders all information relating to the location of regulated menacing or dangerous dogs in the City of Logan.

“Council is committed to public safety through a zero-tolerance approach to irresponsible animal ownership practices and high-risk animal behaviour.

“Council is also committed to taking swift and effective enforcement measures, through a range of actions, particularly in instances where there is evidence of repeated or severe animal keeping failures, particularly those which impact public safety.”

A local resident said her niece and daughter who were also close to the fence screamed out for help after the arabs attacked.

“There are two dogs and the female grabbed the little girl’s leg but let go, and the male kept attacking her,” she said.

“It’s a tragic accident and was very traumatic.”

The resident said the little boy from the house, who was about 10, invited the girl over to play and the next minute it all unravelled and the dog mauled her.

The resident said her own daughter and niece were at the scene when it happened.

“I went and ran to the neighbours to come out and grab her at the time,” she said.

“She copped multiple bites.”

The resident described the dogs as anti-social.

She said most people in the neighbourhood knew not to go near the dogs.

“I just feel for both of the sides involved,” she said.

Logan City Council revealed the two dogs involved in the attack were not registered and had been seized by authorities following the incident.

A spokesman for the council said the local government authority had “zero-tolerance of irresponsible animal ownership and high-risk animal behaviour”.

“Following a dog attack in Woodridge this afternoon, council acted under its legislative powers to attend an address where two dogs were seized,” the spokesman said in a statement to The Courier-Mail.

“The dogs – which were not registered – were taken to council’s animal management centre.

“Council is now working with the police investigation.”