Woori Yallock mum urges people to watch their pets after five-year-old injured during dog attack

A mum has described the terrifying moment she had to hold her five-year-old son’s “head together” after he was viciously mauled by a neighbour’s dog near their Yarra Valley home — missing his jugular vein by millimetres. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

Riquel and Mark Hayden with their son Caolan who was attacked by a neighbour’s dog. Picture: Ellen Smith

A Woori Yallock mother is warning pet owners to make sure their dogs are locked up after her five-year-old son was savagely mauled.

Caolan Hayden had the skin on his forehead ripped open to the bone, deep gashes on his head and his ear was almost torn off during the attack on January 28.

The young boy’s mother Riquel said Royal Children’s Hospital surgeons spent nine hours on the little boy, who, three weeks later is healing amazingly well and in good spirits.

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES TO FOLLOW

Caolan Hayden, 5, suffered severe facial and upper body injuries during a dog attack in Woori Yallock.

Caolan was left with deep gashes to his head.

Mrs Hayden said she wanted pet owners to make sure their dogs were secured properly — a message she hopes saves another child and family from going through the same ordeal.

“I had to hold his head together while we waited for the ambulance which took 30 minutes to get there,” she said.

Caolan spent nine hours in the Royal Children’s Hospital after the attack.

Surgeons spent hours working on Caolan after the terrifying attack.

Mrs Hayden said the dog — which she believed was a cross between a bull mastiff and blue heeler — punctured one of Caolan’s glands, almost ripped his ear off and missed the young boy’s jugular by millimetres.

According to Mrs Hayden her son also suffered puncture wounds to his shoulder and torn muscles in the shoulder and neck, and injuries to his legs and backside.

Riquel Hayden says Caolan almost had his ear ripped off during the attack, which missed his jugular by millimetres.

Surgeons did an incredible job stitching his wounds.

“It was horrific,” she said.

“We’re lucky he’s still here.”

Mrs Hayden said the incident happened when her son had gone to visit a neighbour’s pet parrot.

The young mum said she thought the neighbour had secured her dog behind some timber gates, but it managed to barge out and attack her son.

Yarra Ranges communities director Jane Price said the council received a report of a dog attack on January 28.

Three weeks on, Caolan is healing remarkably well. Picture: Ellen Smith

Ms Price confirmed the dog was euthanised shortly after the attack.

“Our teams are investigating the attack and compiling a brief of evidence, which will be used to prepare a case for prosecution,” she said.

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“We understand that dog attacks can be extremely distressing for everyone involved, and in the interest of public safety, council thoroughly investigates all reports.”

“We recognise the serious nature of this particular attack, and know that this will have a long-term impact on the child involved, as well as their family and friends.”

Ms Price said the council wished Caolan a speedy and successful recovery.