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Waitoa Boy Recovering In Waikato Hospital
Date: 16 July 2008
Waitoa Boy Recovering In Waikato Hospital
The mother of a 13-year-old Waitoa boy attacked by four dogs on Monday says her son is in good spirits today despite his horrendous injuries.
Police today confirmed the boy was cycling through the township when four hunting dogs escaped from a house and attacked him.
The woman, who prefers to be unnamed, said the dogs pulled her son off his bike and ripped the clothes off him.
The incident happened about 5pm on Monday.
Three women passing managed to get the boy away from the dogs and put him in the seat of a car.
They phoned the ambulance and took the boy home to his mother.
"They were wonderful. They covered him in a towel and a blanket. I don't know what would have happened if they hadn't saved him," she said.
The woman said there was blood everywhere.
About 10 minutes later the ambulance arrived and she accompanied her son to Waikato Hospital.
"In the scheme of things it could have been much, much worse," she said.
Waikato Hospital registrar Dr Fiona Neary said the boy had more than 100 lacerations on the arms, legs and buttocks.
He underwent six hours surgery yesterday and was unlikely to have more.
"It was a very long day for him."
The major damage was to the left bicep muscle, which will need extensive physiotherapy.
He is unlikely to return to school for several weeks.
"I don't think I've ever seen such extensive injuries," said Dr Neary.
"Obviously he was extremely frightened."
Please visit our website www.waikatodhb.govt.nz for pictures of the injuries and an interview with Dr Fiona Neary.
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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