Woodridge dog attack: Laquarna Chapman Palmer out of hospital with hundreds of stitches

The six-year-old girl mauled by dogs in Brisbane’s south on Monday is out of hospital and recovering at home. It comes as the two dogs involved were “swiftly and humanely” killed.

• Sunshine Coast: Man injured after dog attack

The little girl mauled by dogs at Woodridge on Monday afternoon has returned home from hospital with hundreds of stitches.

Six-year-old Laquarna Chapman Palmer 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 underwent an endoscopy to assess potential internal damage from significant bites on her chest and abdomen.

She arrived home on Thursday to her relieved family after her three-night hospital stay.

Laquarna told 7 News she was feeling better while her grandmother, Frances Carlo, said she had received more than 100 stitches.

“She’s a tough cookie, she’s strong you know,” said Ms Carlo.

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

Logan City Council seized two unregistered bull arab dogs on Monday afternoon following the attack and confirmed they were “swiftly and humanely” killed.

The neighbour who owns the dogs, Matthew Hinds, said his family was “distraught” over the incident but had made the decision to have the dogs put down.

“It was a hard decision, but it was the right decision,” he said.

“We made the decision on the grounds that we’ve got a little niece, we’ve got a little nephew on the way, I’ve got a 10-year-old son.”

Laquarna’s family say she was dragged off a fence and mauled by the two dogs while she was playing, and told The Courier-Mail how her uncle raced to her rescue and managed to pull them off her.

Laquarna Chapman Palmer is out of hospital.

Mr Hinds said he hoped she had a speedy recovery.

“We never pictured our dogs would hurt anybody,” he said.

“We believe the child was playing with our son who was playing in our backyard. We don’t know what’s happened, we just heard the dogs.

“We went out the back, helped get the little girl back over her fence, helped get the uncle back over the fence, separated the dogs and called the pound.”

Some of Laquarna Chapman Palmer’s injuries.

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.

Reece Chapman, the uncle of Laquarna Chapman Palmer. Photo Supplied 7 News Brisbane

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

Matthew Hinds, the owner of the two dogs that attacked Laquarna Chapman Palmer. Photo Supplied 7 News Brisbane

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.”