Inquest into fatal mauling of toddler highlights need for change

A young boy who died in a horrific dog attack in rural NSW has sparked an inquest into what needs to change. Here’s what the court found.

The state of NSW is home to millions of dogs, and in some suburbs there are even more dogs than children.

However, there have also been over 16,783 known dog attacks since 2018 in the state, with many involving young or vulnerable people.

So, what’s got to give?

According to an inquest into the fatal mauling of a toddler in the NSW central west, a number of changes could help prevent further attacks.

Jyedon Pollard, two, was mauled to death by a rottweiler and a red heeler cross at a motel in Cowra on November 8, 2022.

The inquest, which handed down findings at the NSW Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, found Jyedon died due to injuries to his face and neck caused by dog bites.

CCTV footage from the morning of the attack captured Jyedon walking to the rear of the motel where the dogs, which belonged to the hotel’s owner, were kept.

While there were no witnesses or CCTV footage of the fatal attack, Justice Carmel Forbes said she was satisfied based on the evidence that Jyedon went to see the dogs and was able to open the gate to the enclosure where he was then attacked.

Jyedon Pollard, 2, who died after he was savagely attacked by two dogs at a Cowra motel.

Shortly after the attack, the motel owner ran out to find his rottweiler Bruce with blood around his mouth, as he sat on top of Jyedon.

Jyedon was flown to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, but died as a result of his injuries.

The two dogs were seized and taken to the Cowra pound where they were put down.

What needs to change?

Jyedon’s tragic death highlights how quickly a fatal dog attack can unfold, especially when an infant is involved, the court was told.

Many of the inquest’s recommendations centred around the need for better education and training for all dog owners, in particular those with dog breeds that are identified as high risk.

Four main recommendations were handed down, relating to; better security around dog enclosures, better statewide education and awareness campaigns for responsible dog ownership, the potential to introduce licencing requirements for high risk dog breeds and a need to review the penalty units for irresponsible dog ownership across the state.

Ms Forbes explained councils should be considering licensing requirements for dog ownership of particular high risk breeds of dogs, and applicants would be required to “undergo education with respect to safety and risk management”.

She also urged councils to consider revising the maximum penalty units for acts such as failure to register animals and failure to report attacks and aggression, in order to deter irresponsible ownership.

Accommodation providers in NSW also came into the discussion with Ms Forbes likening the need for providers to ensure they have adequate enclosures and fencing for their animals akin to that of the pool fencing act in NSW, to ensure young children cannot open these enclosures.

A complex matter

While these measures are recommended practices that could be introduced statewide, understanding each individual dog’s behaviour can be very complex.

Unlike what many may think, the absence of any prior aggression in a dog, is not always an indicator of risk.

“Many fatal dog attacks occur where the dog had no prior history of aggression,” Ms Forbes said.

This is a sentiment which accredited Canine Counselling dog trainer Mark Ehrman echoed.

Mr Ehrman explained that dog’s behaviour and temperaments are “really complex”, and owners can often misunderstand.

“It’s not as simple as looking at it as nature vs. nurture,” he told NewsWire.

“While yes the breed plays a role, behaviour is actually a really complex combination of the dog’s training, their environment, and their genetics.”

Understanding each individual dog’s behaviour can be very complex an expert has said.

Mr Ehrman likened owning some breeds to “owning a Ferrari”, while other dog breeds he might see as more “L-plate friendly” dogs.

“That’s the analogy I like to use because if you have a dog breed that is bred for protection or for fighting and as your first dog … that can be a really bad combination and people can get themselves into trouble really quickly if they don’t know what they are doing,” he said.

While dog attacks can involve any breed, the inquest also shared statistics which highlighted certain dog breeds were found to be involved in a large amount of attacks than others.

Of the 2401 dog attacks reported to council in NSW in 2021, 413 of those involved an American Staffordshire Terrier.

Other breeds which were involved in a high majority of attacks included Bull Terriers (210), Australian cattle dogs (138), German Shepards (115) and Bull Terrier crosses (60).

‘Rose-coloured glasses’

It is anticipated that dog attacks are underreported in NSW, however, with owners said to not want to face the consequences of having their pet removed from them.

Mr Ehrman added the number one thing dog owners should do if they are worried about any signs of aggression is to provide 100% supervision around dogs and children.

“People look at their dog with these rose-coloured glasses on and I think people sometimes don’t take as much care as they should,” he said.

“So, the number one recommendation is to supervise them around children until they are at least at a primary school age, because children under the age of six especially can’t read body language, and things can escalate for them really quickly.”

Among other recommendations, Mr Ehrman conceded harsh punishments rarely work for dogs and can often even worsen the problem.

“Beyond that, if you’re concerned … hire a professional, and not just someone you find off TikTok, because there are no quick fixes, you need to talk to an accredited professional with qualifications.”

Jyedon Pollard. Picture: Supplied

Commitment to preventing further tragedy

While the recommendations handed down by Ms Forbes could help prevent further tragedy, she stressed that they won’t undo the hurt experienced by the Pollard family.

“In conclusion, there have been a concerning amount of dog attacks on people in NSW in the past 15 years that have resulted in serious injuries or even death,” she said.

“We must be committed to achieving modern outcomes and frameworks to avoid future tragedy and minimise the potential for similar attacks.

“I express my sincerest condolences to the family”.

Jyedon’s “large and loving family” told the court the horrific death has had a “devastating impact” upon them.

“He is described as having been a happy and carefree child,” Ms Forbes read on behalf of the family.

“His death has placed a sadness and hurt in their lives and has disturbed them deeply.

“Jyedon’s smiling face is the heart-aching, missing piece at their family celebrations.”

No charges have been laid as a result of the death of Jyedon Pollard.

Originally published as Inquest into fatal mauling of toddler highlights need for change