Little girl dies of injuries after dog attack at Neerim Junction

A TIGHT-KNIT community has been left reeling following the death of a toddler who was bitten on the face by a dog as her mother tried to fight off the family pet.

A GIPPSLAND community has been left reeling by the death of a toddler bitten on the face by the family dog.

Emergency services were called to the home at Neerim Junction just before 6.30am.

The 14-month-old girl was in the kitchen with her mother when she was attacked by their six-year-old German wire-haired pointer, which had shown no previous signs of aggression.

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Police at the tragic scene in Nerrim Junction. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The family’s new ‘tree change’ home is about 120km from Melbourne’s CBD. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Paramedics worked on the toddler for two hours before she was pronounced dead. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Paramedics worked on the girl for two hours before pronouncing her dead at the scene. The incident shocked emergency services staff.

The dog was surrendered to the council and euthanised at the owners’ request.

The young family of five, including two older children, moved to the Neerim North Rd property just a few months ago.

Police Sergeant Dean Waddell said the mother suffered hand and leg injuries trying to save her baby.

“Mum’s tried to step in and she’s pulled the dog away. She’s tried everything to save her child,” he said.

“It’s devastating. It’s a tragedy.”

Neerim Junction: A 14-month-old girl has died after she was attacked by a dog at about 6:20am. It's believed the dog was a German Wirehaired Pointer and has been seized by the local council. #Neerim #7News pic.twitter.com/89hHDHZ5P0

— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) August 1, 2018

The breed of dog involved in the attack is a German wire-haired pointer.

Baw Baw Shire mayor Joe Gauci said the council had set up the local hall as a community base and would do everything it could to support the family.

“Neerim Junction is only a small community but all of these little towns are very, very close,” he said.

“It’s the first fatality that we’ve had from a dog attack in our shire that we know of, so it’s not nice and we’re just feeling for the community.”

The toddler’s mum received hand and leg injuries as she tried to save her daughter. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The little girl’s two older siblings were at home at the time. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Police support each other at the property following the tragic death. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Cr Joe Gauci, Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Council. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Baw Baw Shire Council chief executive Alison Leighton. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Dog breeder Alex Krstic, who has worked with German wire-haired pointers for 30 years, said he refused to sell them as house dogs.

“That’s not to say they aren’t all right for families, but they are bred to hunt and they need to be managed properly,” the Yarra Valley expert said.

“They can make good pets but I don’t sell them to the pet market … because they have an amazing drive to hunt.”

Police will investigate the circumstances of the attack and prepare a report for the coroner.

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