Dog attack on child in Grey Lynn

A 5-year-old girl was bitten on the face by a German shepherd / Labrador cross in Auckland City this morning (Monday 17 January 2005). The child underwent surgery at KidzFirst at Middlemore Hospital earlier today.

The attack happened outside a Grey Lynn supermarket, when the dog was leashed and with its owner. The dog has been relinquished to Animal Control Services by its owner, and will be euthanased. The owner was shocked by the incident and has been fully co-operative.

The 1-year-old dog has no history of aggression. It previously lived in the country and has been with its new owners for only three days.

“This incident shows that it is not just dogs such as American Pit Bull terriers that can be aggressive - any dog can be aggressive. Special care must be taken when dogs and children interact,” says Geoff Atherfold, team leader, compliance monitoring for Auckland City.

“Dogs must be carefully supervised when they interact with children. They must also be properly socialised to children. A dog may be frightened by a child’s sudden movements or may have had an unpleasant experience with another child.”

From July 2004 until December 2004 Animal Control Services provided 95 education sessions to early childhood education centres, primary schools and Intermediate schools and provided educational material at venues such as the Parent and Child show.

Since the attack on Carolina Anderson in January 2003, Auckland City has adopted a tougher stance on the enforcement of dog offences. The number of reported dog aggression incidents was down from 969 in 2002/03 to 574 in 2003/04.

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