NSW: Toddler killed by dog
RSPCA Files ::: gmail
Ref:
http://eden.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=local&story_id=448460&category=General%20News&m=12&y=2005
OR
http://snipurl.com/l4rw
Toddler killed by dog
• Bega Police Inspector Shane Box faced the
media on Wednesday to reveal details of the death of a two year old girl
in Nullica. The 2 year old was killed by a family dog. Inspector Box
relayed the family’s request that the young girl not be named, saying the
incident was “distressing for all
concerned.”
Thursday, 29 December 2005
The Eden area has witnessed one of the most terrible
Christmas tragedies ever with a two year old girl killed by a family dog.
The small but close-knit community of Nullica was in shock this week following the terrible accident, which took place at the family's home on the Towamba Road at 11.50am on Tuesday morning.
The dog, a 6 year old dingo cross, was chained to a kennel in the yard, about 45 metres from the house.
The baby girl's mother was inside at the time of the attack, attending to her six week old son.
The mother came outside just as the dog was attacking her daughter, who suffered a severe bite to her neck.
The mother picked the child up and immediately called 000 emergency services.
Eden ambulance attended the scene, finding the young girl unconscious but alive.
She was rushed to Pambula Hospital, but despite the best efforts of the ambulance officers the girl was pronounced dead on arrival.
It is understood the dog, one of several on the rural property, was a working dog.
It was destroyed by a member of family soon after the attack.
Bega detectives yesterday announced they would investigate the incident.
Amidst intense interest from national media outlets this week, Inspector Shane Box of the Bega Police said during a media briefing on Wednesday morning that the child's family had asked that her name and that of her family not be released.
He said that following completion of the inquiries a report would be prepared and submitted to the NSW coroner for consideration.
The attack is the latest of several that have occurred in NSW during 2005 that have already prompted the introduction of legislation in the NSW parliament seeking to ban the keeping and breeding of several types of dog breeds.
The Dingo is not one of the breeds included in the current proposed breed specific legislation.
Chief executive of RSPCA NSW Bernie Murphy was quoted in yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald as saying the incident was unusual and probably the result of a "territorial animal" asserting itself over an inquisitive toddler.
"A dingo is a very territorial dog," he said.
NSW Local Government Minister Kerry Hickey said the Government would await the results of the police investigation before deciding whether the attack warranted the introduction of tougher dog-ownership laws.
The Magnet joins the rest of Eden in offering its sincere condolences to the family.
