An unregistered dog who mauled the face of an 11-year-old boy in a Melbourne back yard has been put down.
The child was bitten by the doberman in his Cairnlea back yard on Saturday afternoon. He was rushed to the Royal Children’s hospital with serious facial injuries and is now in a stable condition.
Local rangers removed the dog after it was temporarily secured in the back yard.
Brimbank City Council spokesman Kelvin Walsh said on Sunday the dog had since been put down.
“The owner surrendered the animal to council on Saturday and authorised its euthanasia, which was then carried out,” he said. “Council will continue to offer Victoria police ongoing assistance in the investigation.”
It comes after an American Staffordshire Terrier mauled Leo Biancofiore to death and injured his wife at their home in Mill Park on Wednesday.
Police believe the dog attack commenced inside the house. Police said it was understood the man’s wife tried to help him move outside to get away from the animal, but it continued the attack.
The killer dog, reportedly called Junior, belonged to the couple’s son and was euthanised.
American Staffordshire terriers are believed responsible for four fatal dog attacks in Melbourne and New South Wales this year.
RSPCA Victoria’s Tegan McPherson said last week there were several causes of dog attacks, but breed wasn’t necessarily one of them.
Five dog breeds are currently restricted in Victoria: American pit bull terriers, perro de presa canarios, dogo argentinos, Japanese tosas and fila brasileiros.
With Australian Associated Press
