AUSTRALIA -- A 17-year-old girl is recovering from serious dog bite wounds after being viciously attacked by two bull terrier dogs around the North Wall area of Mackay Harbour about 12.30pm yesterday.
The teenager was taken from the harbour car park to Mackay Base Hospital's emergency department in a stable condition, to be treated for puncture wounds to both legs and both arms, a Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said yesterday.
A Base Hospital spokeswoman said the girl was yesterday waiting for a surgeon to examine the wounds.
Mackay Regional Council local laws officers patrolled the area after the incident in a bid to find the dogs, health and regulatory manager Craig Shepherd said.
They covered an area from the North Wall to the Seabreeze Resort Hotel at Slade Point.
"From my understanding the girl who was attacked, parked her vehicle near the Seabreeze Resort Hotel," Mr Shepherd said.
"The attack could have occurred near the North Wall end, near the harbour.
"Initially that's where officers attended, via the harbour. They looked around that area for the dogs and the Seabreeze, Lamberts Beach end and a track to see if they could locate the dogs, which was unsuccessful."
Mr Shepherd said the owner of the dogs would face severe penalties if they were located.
"We'll make attempts to locate the dogs and, if they're micro-chipped or tagged and we can locate the owners of the dogs, we'll give them the evidence we have in regards to the dog attack and commence enforcement," he said.
"The owner of the dogs could be issued with an infringement, and because of the seriousness of the attack the owners may be asked to relinquish ownership of the dogs to council and the dogs will then be euthanised."
Mr Shepherd said members of the public should phone the council on 1300 622 529 if they saw the dogs wandering around.
(Mackay Daily Mercury - Jan 29, 2013)
