NSW Mum’s fury at authorities after toddler son killed by dogs at motel

Takisha Pollard has revealed the harrowing moments after her son Jyedon was mauled to death by dogs at a NSW motel- and says she is ‘furious’ housing officials placed her family there.

The distraught mother of a toddler mauled to death says her little boy might still be alive if she hadn’t been given temporary accommodation at a motel with large dogs.

As Takisha Pollard bravely spoke for the first time about the harrowing moment a Cowra motel owner ran to her carrying her critically injured son, she said the housing department should never have placed her there.

Ms Pollard and her two children had only been at the Country Gardens Inn for one night before Jyedon was fatally attacked by a rottweiler and a cattle dog owned by motel staff.

She told The Daily Telegraph she will always be haunted by the traumatic last image of her two-year-old boy.

Jyedon Pollard , 2, with his sister Tahaleah, 5. The siblings were riding scooters together before Jyedon was fatally attacked by two dogs in Cowra last Tuesday. Picture: Takisha Pollard

“Jyedon wasn’t moving, he wasn’t making a sound. His pupils were dilated. My son was silent, I knew it was bad,” Ms Pollard said.

Ms Pollard got up last Tuesday morning, showered the kids and gave them breakfast.

Takisha Pollard with her children Aaliyah, 9, Jyedon, 2, and Tahaleah, 5. Picture: Supplied

“Then I said ‘Mummy is having a coffee and a cigarette’. They came outside with me and were riding the scooters past the motel rooms, all good, totally safe and fine,” she said.

Not long after being outside together, Ms Pollard’s daughter Tahaleah, 5, asked for a drink.

“I went into the room to get her a drink, it was so quick. I didn’t for a minute think my son would be unsafe just playing outside the room for a minute.”

But when she went back out, Jyedon was gone.

Jyedon’s family now plans to give him the best farewell possible when his funeral is held next week in Cowra. Picture: Supplied

“I was yelling ‘Where’s Jyedon, where’s Jyedon?’,” she said. “Then the man came running with my son in his arms... screaming ‘call an ambulance’.”

“Jyedon was silent... all these people saying there was a kid screaming, there was no screaming. My son was silent.”

Doctors later told Ms Pollard that Jyedon died from horrific injuries to his neck, and puncture wounds to his heart and lungs.

The mother and her two kids had only been at the motel one night when the attack happened.

“I’m furious at Housing for not checking it out properly and seeing there were dogs there.”

“We had four nights at another motel which was fine and we could have stayed there longer, they didn’t need to move us.”

Investigators at the Country Gardens Motor Inn where little Jyedon was killed last Tuesday in a horrific dog attack. Picture: TNV

Police investigating the tragedy said Jyedon made his way into an enclosed area where the dogs were kept at the side of the motel.

But Ms Pollard questions how ‘secure’ the area was.

“Wherever the dogs were, it can’t have been that safe if a two-year-old could get in.”

Motel owner Matt McIllhatton has not spoken to Ms Pollard since that day, but she’s been told he’s “doing it tough” after being the first on the scene and dragging the toddler free from the attacking dogs.

Jyedon Pollard. Picture: Supplied

The mother and her daughter are now staying in other temporary accommodation in the town waiting for a permanent house to become available, and planning his funeral.

“He was the happiest, most beautiful child,” she said. “He deserves the best send off ever... that’s what I’m going to give him if I can.”

Ms Pollard is now preparing for her son’s funeral as police continue to investigate the tragedy. Picture: TNV

A spokesperson for the Department of Communities and Justice - which oversees housing - said site inspections are carried out to assess the suitability of temporary accommodation providers, and that keeping children safe is a priority.

“The death of a two-year-old in Cowra last week was an incredible tragedy and we extend our deepest condolences to family and loved ones at this time,” the spokesperson said.

“Department of Communities and Justice staff also inspect temporary accommodation facilities to ensure that standards continue to be met.”