The teenager tried to rescue his pet from the dogs, but the Pit Bulls then started mauling his legs so savagely that he fell to the ground. As he did, the Pit Bulls turned their attention to biting him on the head and one bit off his left ear, witnesses at the nearby bus stop reported.
Residents of the area on Lehn Road in East Hills heard his screams and rushed to help the young man.
They finally managed to scare the dogs away. Paramedics responded to the emergency call and took the victim to Liverpool Hospital, where he is reported in stable condition.
The victim’s ear was found nearby and surgeons attempted to reattach it, according to officials at the hospital. The young man is also being treated for severe bites to his left leg, a spokesman for Ambulance Service of NSW said.
The Pit Bulls were captured after the attack, around 3.20 p.m. The owner was identified and is cooperating with police.
The owner said the dogs had escaped from his yard without his knowledge and they are American Staffordshire Terriers. Inspector David Firth, from Bankstown police told ABC702 News this morning, that it is his understanding that the dogs jumped or climbed over metal fencing.
"He has owned them both since they were puppies and…there was not any history of them attacking anyone in the past," Firth stated. He also advised that the breed is not on the restricted dog list and the dogs had not been declared dangerous.
Residents in Lehn Road said they often saw the owner of the AmStaffs walking the dogs on leads.
(Opposing Views - Oct 31, 2012)