Dog which mauled boy may have attacked before

Blacktown Council says a dog which mauled a little boy in Quakers Hill on Sunday which left him with a puncture wound to his neck, may have been involved in another attack but that report had not been confirmed in 2016.

Blacktown Council says a dog which mauled a little boy in Quakers Hill on Sunday may have been involved in another attack but that report had not been confirmed in 2016.

The boy, 4, was left with a puncture wound to his neck on Sunday following the frightening attack about 1pm on Jocelyn Blvd.

Police told media the boy had been playing with his brother on the footpath and had stopped to speak to the neighbour when the American bulldog attacked him and bit him on the neck and shoulder. A relative said the boys were preparing to go out to the shops with their mum.

Paramedics and police escort the boy to an ambulance following the attack. Picture: TNV

The attack was reportedly only stopped when the boy’s mother and a female owner of the dog came to the boy’s aid.

The boy was treated by paramedics and taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead as a “non-emergency” and he was in a stable condition yesterday in hospital.

One of the women, believed to be the boy’s mother, was also taken to hospital after being bitten trying to stop the attack.

Blacktown Council said the dog was in holding yesterday and council intended to euthanase it.

A woman, believed to be the boy’s mum, was also taken to hospital. Picture: TNV

Council said it received an informal report from police in relation to a dog attack in February 2016 which may have been the same dog but that could not be confirmed.

A council spokesman said there was not much detail provided in that report including the exact location of the attack, the name of the victims involved, or the name of the owner of the dog.

Other complaints about dogs at the address on Jocelyn Blvd related to barking and nuisance and had been investigated.

“Two previous complaints about dogs at this address have related to barking and nuisance and were investigated. There have been no complaints since (June),” a council spokesman said.

Two women came to the boy’s aid following the attack. Picture: TNV

Following the latest incident on Sunday, council said in a statement it would make changes to the way it investigates future complaints.

“Council has instructed officers that in the future any reports received that relate to an animal’s confinement and harassment where it impacts on neighbours or the general public, must be investigated with a site visit.”

There were 85 reported dog attacks on people across the Blacktown LGA during the last financial year, with 37 of those classified as serious attacks.

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Serious attacks mean the victim’s injury resulted in medical treatment, hospitalisation or death.

A resident who lives not far from the incident said she had passed by the owner’s house many times and had never had problems with that dog, and often saw it on a leash. She said they certainly did not seem like irresponsible owners.

However, she said it was sad to hear and she hoped the boy was okay.