Tweed Heads, NSW: Dog latches on to 4 year old's face

"It's just locked on and ripped into him completely unprovoked"

Four year old Connor Reimer is lucky not to have lost his eye according to his mother, after he was attacked by a border collie in Rae Pascoe Park at Tweed Heads on Saturday.

The border collie was roaming the park without its owner when it rushed at Connor and latched onto his head.

"It didn't go for a nip. It locked on to his face." said Connor's father Jim who witnessed the attack.

An ambulance was called and Connor was transported to Tweed Hospital with cuts and bruising to his face.

Police took the dog to Tweed Heads station before it was collected by a ranger and taken to the pound. The owner has indicated they do not want the dog back and it will be euthanised.

Connors mother Patrizia is angered that the law allows for the owner to have taken the dog home despite the attack. Legally, the owner has seven days to explain why the dog should not be declared dangerous and then the regulatory services co-ordinator makes a decision on whether the dog should be declared dangerous.

Mrs Reimer says she wants to see the law changed so that council has the power to keep offending dogs in custody and to put them down if necessary.

Prepared using report "Roaming dog grips face of boy, 4", Goldcoast.com.au 31/1/09, http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/01/30/44235_gold-coast-news.html#comment, accessed 31/1/09. Photo from the source article where it is attributed "Connor Reimer's scars from the attack"

Brisbane, Qld: Dog Attack Statistics

"Brisbane-wide, the Staffordshire bull terrier was ... responsible for [145] attacks [in the 11 months to December], while there were also 113 cattle dog attacks."

Data on dog attacks from the north-west region of Brisbane have been released under a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. These include the statistic that with 145 attacks recorded Brisbane-wide, the Staffordshire bull terrier was responsible for the most dog attacks in the eleven months to December. Cattle dogs were reported in relation to 113 attacks.

In the north-west region during the same period, Staffordshire bull terriers were responsible for 14 attacks out of a total 81 reported. Cattle dogs were responsible for 12 attacks and unidentified breeds were attributed to 19 attacks.

The information includes data on the speed with which council investigations were carried out. While some investigations occurred immediately, others took several months. The average investigation took 37 days.

Prepared using report "Attack culprits named", North-West News 7/1/09, http://north-west-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/attack-culprits-named/, accessed 7/1/09.

Whitton, NSW: 3 year old toddler killed by dogs

"They found the three-year-old girl dead and a 15-month-old girl with serious facial injuries consistent with a dog attack"

A 3 year old girl is dead following an attack by up to 5 dogs.

The attack occurred at a home in Whitton, near Leeton, NSW. A 45 year old woman was babysitting the 3 year old and a 15 month old child at the time.

Witnesses reported that the woman attempted to avert the attack and police found the woman collapsed and with minor injuries when they arrived at the scene.

The injured 15 month old girl has been taken to Wagga Wagga hospital with extensive facial injuries consistent with a dog attack.

The community of about 350 people is reported to be devastated.

One neighbour stated they believed there were about 5 dogs on the property in question. Police have taken custody of 4 dogs and authorities are seeking to destroy them.

The attack occurred at the home of the children's neighbour.

The babysitter was the dogs' owner's partner.

Prepared using report "Toddler killed by dogs", Sydney Morning Herald 7/1/09, http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/toddler-killed-by-dogs/2009/01/07/1231004077973.html, accessed 7/1/09. Photo from the source article where it is attributed "Two dogs run towards the fence at the property where the fatal attack happened in Beechworth Street. Photo: Vince Bucello"