Australia: Deadly South African Boerboel that left a 10-year-old girl fighting for life in hospital with wounds to her head, neck and groin is put down after savage attack

AUSTRALIA -- A family's deadly dog which mauled a 10-year-old girl has been put down after a savage attack left the girl fighting for her life.

Two unregistered dogs were seized by council officers after the girl was left with shocking injuries from her own pet in the Melbourne suburb of Berwick on Sunday.

In a statement on Monday evening, the City of Casey Council confirmed a South African Boerboel had been 'destroyed' with the owner's permission.

The council said: 'The dog believed to be responsible for the attack has been identified as a South African Boerboel, while the second dog has been identified as a Bull Mastiff. Neither dogs were registered with the City of Casey.'

The council on Monday revealed they have previously issued four infringements to the dogs' owner.

Officers were called to the same home in December after the family's other dog, a Bull Mastiff, acted aggressively towards a passer-by.

But the incident wasn't considered severe enough to seize the dog from its owners, who were slapped with a fine.

The council said the previous infringements imposed on the family were for biting a person, the dog being 'at large' at night and failing to register two dogs.

Earlier, hero neighbors described the moment they saved the girl who was 'thrown around like a rag doll' as she was viciously mauled by her own dog.

 

 

 

Dr Liz Walker, Chief Executive of the RSPCA, described the attack as a 'tragic and devastating event', but urged the family to consider having the dog euthanized.

'This is a discussion for the family and the council. But It would have to be something they would seriously consider,' Dr Walker told the broadcaster.

The girl remains in hospital and is lucky to be alive, according to neighbors who helped saved her.

Jimmy Baird was at home watching television with his wife when they heard screaming from a nearby house.

'A young girl came out saying her sister was being attacked by the dog,' he said.

Mr Baird and another neighbor ran to the home where they found the terrified girl banging on a door trying to get away from the dog.

'We tried to get the door open. As I opened the door, this massive head was coming through the door frothing at the mouth. It was obviously going to go us,' Mr Baird told Nine Network on Monday.

The men went around to the side of the house and distracted the dog, allowing the girl to escape.

'I'm glad we were there because the young girl probably wouldn't have survived,' Mr Baird said.

Another neighbor told 3AW their mother and their mother's boyfriend were at the gym when the dog attacked.

The neighbors said the mother seemed more concerned about her pets than her daughters.

"Not once was there, 'Where's my daughter? How is she?' It was just... [about] the dogs", said one neighbor.

 

 

She was covered in dirt, leaves, blood, yeah, just in shock

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said dog owners need to take responsibility for their animals.

'If you own an animal then it is your primary responsibility to make sure that you have control of that animal and that it doesn't pose a risk to others,' Andrews said.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said the matter would be handled by the local council but added the incident served as a reminder for people to keep control of their dogs.

'Whether they're in your backyard or out on the street, it doesn't absolve your responsibility of keeping your animals under control,' Mr Ashton said.

Note: Neither of these Boerboels attacked the little girl, but
I'm posting so you get an idea how big these dogs are.

(Daily Mail - March 5, 2018)

California: Dachshund mix mauled to death by Pit Bull mix and Mastiff at Vinewood Dog Park

CALIFORNIA -- When Lodi’s Rebecca Knowles decided to take her two dogs Luna and Honey to Vinewood Dog Park for some fun in the sun Tuesday morning, she never imagined that Honey, a dachshund mix, would not be coming home with her.

While at the park, her dog was viciously attacked and mauled to death by two other larger dogs (described as a Pit Bull mix and a Mastiff).

Knowles is devastated by the loss of Honey and still coming to terms with what happened that day. The dog was like a member of the family.

“She wasn’t just my dog. She was our family dog,” Knowles said.

She had Honey for about six years and had purchased her for her eldest son who was 2 years old at the time. Now 8, Knowles said her son took the news better than expected, although she didn’t reveal the details of Honey’s death.

“He cried a little. He asked me what happened but I don’t think that’s something that you tell an 8 year old,” Knowles said. “I know it’s hard for him because he would sleep with her at night, but he’s doing a lot better than what I expected him to do.”

Knowles’ two other children are younger and don’t really understand what’s going on. Knowles said Honey helped her get through some very difficult times in her life, including a stint when she was homeless.

“She was always right there. Every day when I’d get off work, I was staying at a hotel, I would come home and go to my little room and she would just be right there waiting for me,” she said.

Knowles has considered getting another dog to cope with the loss but feels that Honey is just simply irreplaceable.

On Tuesday, Knowles, along with her sister and mother, were in the process of leaving the park when Honey was approached by a pit bull mix and black bull mastiff, Knowles said.

The two dogs immediately began mauling Honey, Knowles said, dragging her into the grass.

“I wanted to get her out of the dog’s mouth so bad, but I couldn’t. Nobody would help me. I was blacking out. It was just a blur,” Knowles recalled tearfully. 

“I just remember the dog grabbing my dog’s neck, and I just thought to myself, ‘I just hope she knows that I tried my best.’”

According to Knowles, the woman tending to the dogs that mauled Honey never stepped in to help and never called their names or even tried to grab their leashes.

“She just stood there and watched. The dogs she was pet-sitting just ripped my dog’s neck open,” Knowles said.

Knowles, along with her sister and her mother, desperately tried to pull dogs off of Honey while screaming for help. Knowles’ mother even sustained bites on her hands trying to pry Honey from the dogs.

“Her fingers were just cut up everywhere,” Knowles said. “I shoved my hand in the dogs’ mouth, and my sister was trying to punch them and kick them. In my head I’m like ‘I don’t want to go to jail if I hurt these dogs but they’re killing my dog. What do I do, how far can I take it?’”

According to Lodi Animal Service Officer Jordan Kranich, he was called to the park between 11:30 and 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday morning, and by the time he arrived the dogs were already separated. The attacking dogs had been placed in the dog sitter’s vehicle.

After receiving witness statements, Kranich took pictures of Honey and the two other dogs for evidence, before placing both of the dogs on quarantine and informing the dog owner of the incident.

Honey’s body is currently at the animal shelter awaiting cremation, Kranich said.

“I’m going to get an urn,” Knowles said. “Her birthday is April 11 which is on a Wednesday. I want to keep her ashes. I want to have her with me.”

The dogs that attacked Honey will remain in quarantine for 10 days. After that, If they show no signs of rabies they will be released at the owner’s expense. The owner will have to pay $100 per dog. If the owner does not pick up the dogs within five days of their release, they will be humanely euthanized.

The owner was also cited for not having a current license for rabies on her dogs. The dogs received a strike against them for being aggressive and if another incident happens within a year the dogs could be deemed dangerous, asked to leave the City of Lodi or humanely euthanized.

Kranich said the dog sitter will likely be liable for the attack but the dog owner may be held liable as well.

According to Kranich, the owner of the dogs informed him that she used an online company to get a dog sitter. She alleged that the person watching her dogs told her that the dogs would be staying at a ranch. She did not give the sitter permission to take the dogs to the dog park.

“That park is play at your own risk, and it is an off-leash park,” Kranich said. “You kind of take the risk if you’re going down there and allowing your dogs to run free that there may be a possibility they can get into a fight.”

Kranich said such incidents are rare and that it’s the first time he’s witnessed an attack that led to a death at the park.

Knowles said she has not been in contact with the owner of the dogs because she was advised that is was best not to contact her.

“There’s just so many things that are wrong with the picture, and I’m definitely looking to get justice,” Knowles said.

In the aftermath of the incident, Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hoods said he plans to seek direction from the Parks and Recreation Commission about the possibility of establishing designated areas for small and larger dogs.

He said he recommends people not bring their dogs to the dog park if they are not friendly.

(Lodi News - March 9, 2018)

Australia: Bull Mastiff's leg fractured after he's attacked by a Pit Bull

AUSTRALIA -- Guillermo Ángel Gómez posted on Facebook group page I Love My Bullmastiff, March 2, 2018

Guys my poor boy Bruno got attacked by a pit bull, he is in a lot of pain now, please send prayers. Im so sad 😭

Myfanwy Buchanan - Oh poor baby😢 why don't people keep their animals on a lead 😣

Guillermo Ángel Gómez - The pit bull was always on a leash according to his owner but escaped this time 😞

Maria-Luisa Rittinghaus Have you seen a vet? If he is in pain prayers will not help but a vet will. Sorry to be so direct. A speed recovery to your furbaby ❤

Guillermo Ángel Gómez - Yes he is already takin meds for the paín. But he still crying because he cant get up 😭

Alicia S Sc - Guillermo Ángel Gómez, gee how bad was he chewed? is he a young dog?

Guillermo Ángel Gómez - it's actually not that bad, it seems he has a fractured leg, he can't get up so he cry all the time and thats what breaks my heart :'(

Not that bad? He has a fractured leg...

Guillermo Ángel Gómez - he is 6 years old

California: Mastiff recovering from Pit Bull attack

CALIFORNIA -- EclecticHoops posted on Facebook February 22 at 2:55pm ·

Checking in with my main man, King. He’s slowly recovering from a pit attack.

Big big love to my dude. Please bring #cbd dogsnacks! He is hurting :-(.

United Kingdom: Owners run off with their Pit Bull and Mastiff mix after it mauls man and his pet Border Collie

UNITED KINGDOM -- Police are investigating after a horrified pet owner fought off two dogs to protect his beloved pet in a vicious attack.

John Purcell, who is still at home recovering from his injuries days after the attack, says Daisy is lucky to be alive after she was mauled by a Staffordshire pit bull terrier and a Mastiff cross on the Warwickshire Moors.

The service engineer rushed to the aid of the six-year-old Border Collie as he wrestled the dogs off her and took her to safety.

The dog needed stitches after her chest was ripped open by the monkey bridge in Bolehall, near Tamworth.

John said: “It was horrific. If my partner Lettie had been walking Daisy she would never have been able to fight them off. I feel like I have been in a punch up. My fist is swollen and I am bruised and stuff and aching all over. Daisy is really subdued now. She is not her normal self.

“There could have been kids around, it really does make you worry. Who knows what those dogs could be doing right now.”

Recalling the moment it happened, John, 51, from Bolehall, said he was walking down to the bottom of Moor Lane on to the fields and the railway bridge.

“It was flooded so I went up to Bolehall Swifts and on to the bridge instead,” he revealed.

“Daisy was off her lead like she normally is as she is a good dog and always comes back.

“As we came off the bridge out of nowhere to the right I saw these two beasts coming towards her. The two owners were obviously caught off the hop and unaware and the dogs started attacking Daisy.

“I was rolling around on the floor holding on to Daisy and trying to fight them off. They ripped her belly open and were biting her chest.

“I just had to protect my dog. I knew that if they rolled her over on to her front they would have probably killed her.

“I managed to get Daisy behind the bushes and out of sight and I calmed her down after about three or four minutes. I looked back and the two owners were running off. By the time I got back they had completely disappeared.

“I rushed back home in a panic after warning friends that I walked past. Daisy was in a right state so Lettie took her to the vets and I went straight on the phone to the police.”

Partner Lettie Woodward added: “It was a deep wound. The vet told me that she might need a drain and that she was very lucky it wasn’t her neck. She had stitches in her chest.

“The photos show no perspective in relation to size. The wound is about 17 cm long and the puncture wound is about 1 cm.

“It could have been a lot worse. It was just lucky I hadn’t been walking her that day like I usually do. If they had gone for her throat or there wasn’t a strong man there to hold them off she wouldn’t have stood a chance.

“We ask people to be vigilant especially over Warwickshire Moors as we feel until the police find those responsible it is only a matter of time until these dogs attack again.”

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police confirmed that an investigation is underway.

He said: “We were called to reports of a dog being attacked by two other dogs at around 12pm on December 28, 2017 in Moor Lane, Bolehall.

“The dogs that attacked were described as a white and tan colored large Staffordshire pit bull terrier and a white with black and brown patches Mastiff cross.

“No arrests have been made and we are continuing to investigate the incident with the assistance of the victim.

“If you know anything about this incident, please call 101 quoting incident number 243 of 28 December or, for guaranteed anonymity, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

(Coventry Telegraph - January 5, 2018)

Washington: Woman attacked by Pit Bull wants to believe the dog was somehow "traumatized" or "outright trained to be aggressive"

WASHINGTON -- Kristi Hein posted on the Facebook group page Paying Till It Hurts January 12, 2018 at 2:14am

Yesterday I was attacked by a dog. I'm OK -- I was just damn lucky that it sank its teeth into my loose sweatpants and tore a fist-size hole, its teeth only barely scraping my leg (no punctures; drawing just a little blood).

A woman had the dog on a leash -- big dog, looked rather scary -- I was walking by, 10 feet away, and trying to expand the distance, when without warning he began barking furiously and lunged, dragging her after him, to bite my leg. She was yelling "Bad" and No!" and swatting his nose and dragged him away. If she had lost hold of the leash, I would have been maimed or dead. (This realization is as frightening as the attack, which was over fast.)

This dog meant business. It meant me grievous harm. Why? Completely unprovoked. Staffordshire pit bull terrier (the cop who returned from speaking with the owner told me). Anyway, the cop who responded to my 911 call took photos and said I should get a medical checkup just for the record.

So here's the PTIH part! My PCP wasn't available, so I went to the walk-in clinic. The PA cleaned the scrape, put on antibiotic ointment, and asked if I wanted a bandage (a large band-aid); I said "Sure." Only later did I think, hmm, I wonder what that bandage will cost? $8? $15? $25? And the entire appt.? (My tetanus shot was up to date, so didn't need that.) Well, it will be the Medicare allowed amount, and I will send the bill to the woman (who lives four houses from us). (It turns out it's her son's dog, it has attacked other animals before, and they will likely euthanize it. Sad.)

Australia: Puffin the six-month-old Shar-Pei barely survives attack by Mastiff

AUSTRALIA -- This my Puffin. He is 6 months old. He was attacked by a Mastiff that was at least double his size and weight. If you can, please share his #gofundme account. He needs a lot of treatment.

Puffin has quite extensive injuries to his face, head, ear, chest and leg.
He was found barely breathing and in severe shock.

It is likely that he will need multiple surgeries and medications to get him through.

He is my companion in life and all I have. It breaks my heart to see him so utterly broken. If you can please put my Puffin back together again so he can continue to be my best friend.

UPDATES:

#1
I have bought Puffin home to closely monitor him. He has multiple surgeries ahead. He will most likely lose an ear and muscle from his neck. The vets were unable to close up his exposed neck for the time being. He has a great risk of presenting with a collapsed lung due to air getting in. He has got 10 drains in to drain blood and fluid so they can reassess and attempt to repair more. His arteries, blood vessels and Trachea are all exposed and there is a risk that there is damage to his trachea causing breathing troubles. We are not clear of danger yet and he is on a lot of pain relief and antibiotics.

Thank you to everyone who has donated and those who continue to send love prayers and support to us.

#2
Puffin made it through the night. Big blessing.
He has cried most of the morning hours so I sat with him and told him about how much love everyone is sending him. More surgery today unfortunately but it has to be done. We are such a long way away at the moment. Thank you to everyone for all the support.

Puffin when he was a little puppy

#3
Today has been a good day and a bad day. It’s a good day because the vet is pleased with how his injuries look. Today is also a bad day because Puffin will not eat at all and will only have little bits of chilled water from a syringe about every half an hour. It’s not enough to keep him well. He has been given two injections of long acting antibiotics and some more pain relief.

He’s fighting hard and everything is looking good. I pray that we keep heading in the right direction and down go backwards which is still a very real risk. His muscles are starting to break down what has died so hopefully we can start getting it all stitched back together soon.

#4
What a day!
I am so pleased to find that Puffin has perked up today. He has started to drink from his bowl and is looking so much better for it. We are still on a long medication regime of pain killers and anti inflammatories. The vet checked in with us today and they are pleased with his progress as it means he is becoming stronger and that means that we can start looking at the next stage of his treatment. He is now up and moving a little bit, though he will only come out for a few minutes before going back to sleep. Small steps lead to greater things. The hope is that he is resilient enough that we can reinforce positive interactions with other animals over time. There is no rush on that and only time will tell. Much love to everyone and thank you for all you have done for us

GoFundMe: Help put Puffin Back Together Again
Created January 10, 2018
Alesana Riley
  Animals
  Ipswich, QLD (Australia)

 

Montana: Toddler attacked by her grandma's Bull Mastiff is recovering

MONTANA -- The 3-year-old who was flown to Colorado for surgery after being attacked by her grandmother’s Bull Mastiff at her home, which she has been running a daycare business out of, has been discharged from the hospital and is in good spirits, her mother said.

Naomi Brown, the toddler, still has considerable swelling, her mother Itxaropen Card said. She will continue taking antibiotics and Tylenol for pain, and will need to schedule follow-up appointments in Billings with an orthopedic surgeon, an ophthalmologist and her pediatrician.

An arm bandage and splint will be taken off tomorrow, Card said.

But her daughter was in good spirits Friday, Card said, after a visit to the Downtown Aquarium on the way home from Denver.

(Billings Gazette - January 5, 2018)

Earlier:

• Montana: Toddler mauled by her grandma's Bull Mastiff

Montana: Toddler mauled by her grandma's Bull Mastiff

MONTANA -- It was every parent’s worst nightmare.

Itxaropen Card, a Billings mother, got a call at noon Tuesday that her 3-year-old daughter, Naomi, had been attacked by a dog and was in an ambulance on the way to Billings Clinic.

Naomi had been at the home of her grandmother, Michelle Repeta (aka Michelle Brown), who runs Precious Time Daycare from her home at 1512 St. Johns Ave.

Animal control officials aren’t certain what provoked the bull mastiff, named Titan, to attack.

“Well, nobody saw it happen, so nobody knows exactly what happened,” said Tom Stinchfield, Animal Control supervisor for Billings.

The attack left the youngster with deep wounds on her hand, neck and face. 

The dog ripped ligaments in the child’s wrist that have left her struggling to move her fingers on her right hand. 

And one ear was “split in half,” Card said.

“So they had to sew that up,” she said.

Naomi was flown to Children’s Hospital Colorado, in Aurora, for treatment. She arrived around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Card said, and underwent surgery around 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Card anticipates she and her husband will be able to drive her daughter back to Billings on Thursday.

“It’s just really hard to see her like that,” Card said, of her daughter. “I just cry every time.”

Repeta reported the incident to the Department of Public Health and Human Services within two hours, said DPHHS spokesman Jon Ebelt. DPHHS is the licensing agency for day care centers in Montana. State law requires day care agencies report such incidents within 24 hours.

Reached by The Gazette Wednesday, Repeta stressed that the dog attack took place in a part of the home — the basement — where children in the day care are not allowed. The dog was kept separate from the kids during day care hours, she said.

The grandmother declined to comment further.

Stinchfield, the animal control supervisor, said Repeta and the others in the home were cooperative with animal control officers. Repeta asked officers to euthanize the dog and walked it to the animal control vehicle for officers to take away.

While dog bites are common — Billings Animal Control received 291 calls in 2016 — ones as serious as the attack that landed Card’s daughter in the hospital Tuesday are more rare, with just eight in 2016 designated as attacks by dangerous animals.

Under city code, a “dangerous animal” is one that, without intentional provocation, causes serious bodily injury or death, “is involved in a continuous sustained attack upon a person, not allowing the victim any means of escape,” or has a history of attacking people, as specified through various city code provisions.

In Bozeman in June, two dogs mauled a woman working in her garden, leaving her brain-dead. The dogs belonged to tenants who lived on her property, according to The Associated Press.

In Virginia in December, two dogs fatally mauled their owner while walking in the woods, The Washington Post reported.

(Billings Gazette - January 3, 2018)

United Kingdom: Gruesome images show gory aftermath of brutal dog attack that left an elderly woman with horrific leg injuries

UNITED KINGDOM -- A vicious dog attack which left a great grandmother with these horrific leg injuries is being investigated by police.

Joanne Thomson’s 75-year-old mother was savaged by what they believe was a Presa Canario as she walked her tiny toy Cockapoo Bobby, on a lead, in Bolton.

Other news sites are saying that Presa Canarios are also called Canary Mastiffs.

The dog involved has been seized by police and an inquiry has been launched.

Joanne, 46, said she believed her mum tried to shield Bobby when the huge dog lurched at them on Springfield Road, Kearsley.

She was knocked to the floor and badly bitten.

Her daughter said: "She is five foot tall and maybe nine stone. It was not letting her go. It was shaking its head while she was on the floor. It has clamped its teeth down."

The man who was walking the dog tried to pull it clear and hit it on the head with the lead, which had absolutely no effect on the giant dog.

 

 This is a random photo of a Presa Canario; to show you

just how big these dogs are. She's lucky to be alive.

A man in a van saw what was happening and pulled over to try to help.

Eventually, the man managed to get the dog off the elderly woman and the man who had been driving the van put the woman's dog into his vehicle.

The police and ambulance service were called.

People in nearby houses heard the commotion and started to come out with blankets for the woman while they waited for emergency services to arrive.

The man with the Mastiff waited at the scene and said it was not his dog but he was walking it for a friend.

Joanne, who said Bobby the Cockapoo was her mum’s ‘baby’, revealed the attack fractured her right leg in two places.

Her daughter said: "She's got bite marks, like puncture wounds on her leg. The bone was sticking out. She was traumatised.

"I can't imagine the fear that she experienced or the agony. I got a phone call from my mum's neighbour saying 'don't panic but your mum has gone to hospital, she has been bitten by a dog'.

"I just thought that a dog had bit her on the arm and I would get there as soon as I could. I got to the hospital and she was just covered in blood.

"I can't stop thinking about it. I'm just devastated."

The horrific photographs - which Joanne has posted on Facebook and allowed the Manchester Evening News to use - show the dog slashed and bit at her mum’s lower legs, leaving her with numerous puncture wounds.

One wound is too big to be stitched and she could need skin grafts.

Speaking to the M.E.N. as her mum was in theatre at the Royal Bolton Hospital, Joanne said a mystery man in a white van she only knows was called ‘Jake’ stopped and ran to help her alongside a man who was walking the presa canario.

Joanne said: “She could have been killed. She is now terrified, very anxious and scared. If it had got hold of an artery or her neck she could easily have been killed.

“If it would have been a child, they would have been dead. The police have been keeping us up to date with what has been going on and they have been fabulous.

“Officers even came back in to the hospital in their own time to give her a bouquet of flowers. They have gone above and beyond.

“I want to thank the man in the van who stopped. He picked up Bobby and threw him in the back of the van then went to help my mum.

“He was brilliant and I do not even know who he is. People were coming out with blankets and putting pressure on my mum’s wounds. I want to thank everyone for their care.”

Joanne said her mother, who is widowed and a retired NHS worker, walks Bobby everyday. The attack took place just yards from her home.

She said the Presa Canario, which was on a lead, lurched at Bobby and her mum put herself in the way.

The Presa Canario's owner wasn't strong enough to control his vicious dog as it attacked Joanne's mom.

“Bobby is the size of a bag of sugar compared to the other dog,” said Joanne. “The dog just savaged her. She fell under the weight of the dog, which wouldn’t let go despite the man’s attempts to get the dog off. My mum ended up lying on the floor covered in blood and the dog eventually let go.

“She has a massive gaping wound to her other leg and will have to undergo surgery and most probably skin grafts. This dog should have been muzzled at the very least.”

The man left his details at the scene.

Police confirmed officers and paramedics were called at 3.55pm on Tuesday to a report that a 75-year-old woman had been bitten by a dog.

A GMP spokesman said: “The dog involved has been seized pending further investigations.”

This is a random photo of a Presa Canario; to show you

just how big these dogs are. She's lucky to be alive.

(Manchester Evening News UK - December 20, 2017)