Friends pay tribute to Tregear dog attack hero Colin Amatto

The Good Samaritan who died five weeks after coming to the aid of a mother and daughter during a vicious dog attack in Sydney’s west has today been named as Colin Amatto.

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The Good Samaritan who died five weeks after coming to the aid of a mother and daughter during a vicious dog attack in Sydney’s west has today been named as Colin Amatto.

Friends and neighbours have hailed the 40-year-old — who suffered bites to his ears, face, chest and abdomen during the January 24 attack before going into cardiac arrest — a hero.

He was taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition, where he died on Friday.

Mr Amatto had been friends with the owner of the dogs, Dave Murray, since kindergarten.

Mr Amatto would regularly stay with Mr Murray, and according to neighbours, Mr Amatto would even sleep alongside the dogs in the weeks before the attack.

Colin Amatto has died two weeks after being attacked by a dog in Tregear. Picture: Facebook

Moments after the lunchtime attack, the 39-year-old woman and her 10-year-old daughter ran bloodied and screaming into neighbour Daemgalo Ofa’s Vincennes Ave, Tregear home.

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According to Ms Ofa’s son, Sione Ofa, the mother and daughter were crying hysterically.

“Mum said there was blood all over the woman and her child when they ran into our house looking for help,” Mr Ofa said.

Mr Amatto was rushed to hospital after the attack in Tregear. Picture: ABC News

According to an online fundraiser for Mr Amatto’s funeral, he was surrounded by loved ones when his life support was switched off.

“(Five) weeks ago Colin selflessly saved (two) people from being mauled by (two) dogs. He has been fighting for his life ever since,” the fundraiser flyer said.

“The painful decision to turn off his life support was made and he passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.

“As this is a sudden passing of our young beloved, we kindly ask our family and friends to please help us to give Colin a hero’s farewell that he deserves.”

The 39-year-old woman and her 10-year-old daughter were treated for minor injuries after they were also bitten. Picture: TNV

Neighbour Jackie Lee said the dogs had formed a close bond with Mr Amatto during his frequent stays.

“They were friends since kindergarten and (the victim) would quite regularly stay at Dave’s house,” Ms Lee said.

“Dave told us (Mr Amatto) even slept with the dogs.”

Ms Lee’s partner, Alan Sanders, had been struggling to fix a broken airconditioning hose on his car two days before the January attack when Mr Amatto offered a helping hand without being asked.

“He was a lovely guy who mainly kept to himself but always said hello,” Mr Sanders said.

“Two days before the attack I’d been working on my busted car for two hours when he wandered around the corner and offered to give me a hand.

“It’s hard to fathom two days later he was in hospital with his ears ripped off and now he’s passed away, it’s just so sad.”

Council rangers later removed the two dogs from the house.

The American staffies were surrendered to the council and destroyed the following day.

Police are still making inquiries and will prepare a report for the Coroner.

News of Mr Amatto’s death came as a 70-year-old woman was hospitalised after she was bitten on the hand by a dog while walking her own dog along a street in Sydney’s west.

Police said the woman was injured after two dogs approached her in Chester Hill on Saturday morning.

Responding officers were told the animals were picked up by a passing tabletop truck.

They were spotted about two hours later in a nearby yard and will be handed over to a council ranger.

The woman has since been taken to Auburn Hospital for further treatment. Her dog is with a local veterinarian.

The truck driver has spoken to police and confirmed they are not his dogs.