"Michaela, 11, saw the attack and thought her sister was going to die"
Eight year old Jessie McGillivray was attacked on a Rottweiler breeding farm at Snake Valley near Ballarat in Victoria this week.
She was helping her father and uncle to clean out cages and feed more than 20 rottweilers when the attack occured.
The dog allegedly randomly ran for her, latching on to her leg. Her uncle had to prise the dog's jaws open using a plank of wood but was unable to hold the dog back. Jessie managed to climb onto a fence when the dog attacked again.
Jessies sister Michaela, aged 11, said through tears that she saw the attack and the dog "got her and pinned her to the ground ... I thought she was going to lose her leg".
Jessie's mother Sue, who is divorced from Jessie's father said the family wanted the dog put down but she defended her ex-husband's decision saying "They are bred to be pets. You would assume they are safe".
Jessie was treated at Ballarat Hospital. Police have said they will take no action over the matter because Jessie touched the dog's food while it was eating.
Prepared using report "Don't blame us for savage dog attack", news.com.au 20/4/09, http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25357548-421,00.html, accessed 20/4/09. Photo from the source article where it is attributed to Joe Sabljak.
