Boy, 5, dies in hospital following savage Christmas Eve dog attack on the Gold Coast

A five-year-old boy has tragically died on the operating table in hospital after he was mauled by a dog on the Gold Coast, with his grandmother also injured trying to save him.

A young boy savagely mauled by a dog at a Gold Coast home has died in hospital.

The five-year-old was with his grandmother at a house at Varsity Lakes when he was mauled by an English bull terrier-American bulldog cross about 12.20pm on Friday.

It is understood the boy and his grandmother were together in the back yard when the dog, unprovoked, suddenly attacked.

His 42-year-old grandmother was also taken to hospital suffering shock and puncture wounds from trying to pry the dog off the boy, with the help of neighbours who came running to her aid after hearing the commotion.

The young boy suffered extensive wounds to his back and neck and went into cardiac arrest before paramedics performed an emergency blood transfusion before being rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.

He died on the operating table during emergency surgery.

His grandmother was also taken to Gold Coast University Hospital with shock and minor injuries.

Council animal control officers arrived on scene after the incident and took two dogs from the property, including the bull terrier-bulldog cross believed to be responsible for the attack.

A report will be prepared for the coroner with an investigation ongoing.

Originally published as Boy, 5, dies in hospital following savage Christmas Eve dog attack on the Gold Coast