Young child with facial injuries among three hurt in dog attacks in Christchurch

Wednesday, 30 January 2019

A rottweiler plays with another dog. Two dogs of the breed were loose in a Christchurch suburb and attacked three people on Tuesday. (File photo)

A young child has been taken to hospital with facial injuries after a dog attack, hours after two rogue rottweilers went on a rampage in Christchurch, attacking two people and chasing a third.

Police and St John were called to the attack on the child at a property on Quinns Rd in Shirley, about 11am on Wednesday.

A young child was taken to hospital by ambulance after a dog attack. FILE PHOTO

A witness, who asked not to be named, said they drove past the scene and saw a child aged about 2 years old with facial injuries.

'The child's face was a mess,' they said.

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A St John spokesman said they took a child in a moderate condition to Christchurch Hospital's emergency department.

The exact age of the child was unclear, he said.

Christchurch City Council head of regulatory compliance Tracey Weston confirmed the council received a complaint and attended the incident.

'Animal management is currently investigating this complaint'.

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Weston said she could not comment on the breed of the dog or its whereabouts.

The attack came after two rogue rottweilers attacked two people and chased a third between about 8.20pm and 8.50pm in the Hei Hei area, near Hornby, on Tuesday.

One person was bitten in Pensacola Cres but did not need an ambulance. A second was attacked in Vanguard Dr and an ambulance was called.

Paramedics treated one person but they did not need to be taken to hospital, a St John spokesman said. No age or gender was available for the victim.

Police said a third person, again in Vanguard Dr, reported being chased by the dogs. Police and animal control went and the dogs were 'secured' about 8.50pm.

Weston confirmed that complaint.

According to the Hill's Pet website, rottweilers 'need a firm, patient hand and a knowledgeable owner' in order to reduce any potential for causing harm.

If well-raised, they could become 'active, intelligent dogs [that] are fully confident enough to act on their own'.

'Rottweilers have been selected for guarding and protection work, and this must be kept in mind at all times,' the website said.

'Well-socialised rottweilers get along nicely with people and other dogs, but males in particular can be a bit aggressive and dominant.'

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