Perth mum’s ‘living nightmare’ after four-year-old attacked by dog on playdate

“It's like literally living in fight or flight mode all the time,” mum Jasmine said. Warning: Contains graphic imagery

A four-year-old boy has been left with permanent nerve damage and severe injuries after being mauled by a dog during a playdate.

Last month, Swayde Rangi was playing at a friend’s house when the owner’s rescue dog, a bull Arab cross, launched on the boy and savaged his face. 

Now, the 4yo’s mother, Jasmine, is demanding more action be taken against the dog, claiming this was not the first instance of bad behaviour. 

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Swayde was attacked by a friend's dog. Picture: 9News

Four-year-old attacked by friend’s dog on playdate

Speaking to A Current Affair, the Perth woman recalled the moment her son was attacked by the dog. 

“His forehead was exposed to the skull,” mum Jasmine said. “His tear duct had been completely split in half.”

RELATED: ‘I panicked’: Owner of dog that mauled Adelaide boy speaks out

He was rushed to the Perth Children’s Hospital, where he was required to undergo extensive surgery to repair his savaged face.

The dog attack was so severe that the 4yo will require further surgeries, one of which will happen next week. 

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He is also left with permanent nerve damage; the emotional scars will likely last a lifetime. 

Following the dog attack, Swayde is suffering from post-traumatic stress and is now afraid to see another dog in the street.

“If there's a dog out the front, he's instantly triggered,” Jasmine said. “It's like literally living in fight or flight mode all the time.” 

RELATED: 'He mauled my son's face': Boy, 6, injured in dog attack

Mum Jasmine wants more to be done about the dog. Picture: 9News

The Perth mother is now demanding the dog be put down; according to Jasmine, the dog previously attacked two others before the incident with her son, one of which was a child. 

“This was significant damage done to a child's face, and if this wasn't enough, then what is?” Jasmine said, per 9News. While she admitted the injuries could “have been so much worse”, it was only a matter of time before another horrific attack. 

“I guess my fear is if this were to happen again, would the next person be so lucky?” she asked. 

While the City of Cockburn said it has no reports of prior attacks from this dog, it has since launched an investigation into the attack.

“The City is always saddened to hear of dog attacks in our community, particularly where injury occurs,” a spokesperson for the council said. 

According to 7News, the dog's owners must keep a muzzle on its face while outside, wear a “dangerous dog” collar and remain on a lead at all times. 

“The owners must adhere to an annual property inspection to meet the requirements of the Dangerous Dog Declaration,” a statement from the council read. 

“These restrictions remain in place for the duration of the dog’s life or until an order through the State Administrative Tribunal is handed down.” 

Originally published as Perth mum’s ‘living nightmare’ after four-year-old attacked by dog on playdate