Boy, 3, mauled by dog in Mackay, flown to Brisbane

AUSTRALIA -- A three-year-old boy attacked by a dog in Mackay on the weekend was in a critical but stable condition in a Brisbane on Sunday night.

The toddler was bitten by a German Shepherd on Saturday night, leaving him with serious injuries.

Paramedics were called about 6.45pm to a property in Grant St where they found the boy with a serious neck injury.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said the dog bit the child on the neck and punctured a main artery, causing him to lose a large quantity of blood.

The boy was rushed to Mackay Base Hospital before being flown to Brisbane, and he remained in the Mater Children's Hospital where he spent most of yesterday in an operating theatre.

It is understood there had been ongoing neighbourhood disputes in the street where the incident occurred.

Mackay Regional Council spokesman Ken Furdek said the dog had been taken to a Mackay pound. and would remain there until a police investigation was complete.

Police said no criminal charges had been laid and neighbours said officers did a doorknock of the area to interview them about the incident.

(News.com.au - Oct 28, 2013)