Dog attack: Baby girl ‘in serious condition after being bitten on face by pet’

A baby girl was rushed to hospital on Thursday night after being bitten on the face by a dog in a horrific attack at her home on the Gold Coast.

The one-year-old was mauled by a Neopolitan Mastiff at the residence in Helensvale, with paramedics treating the child for “serious lacerations” to her entire face.

Queensland Ambulance reported the baby was rushed to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious condition and remained conscious throughout the terrifying ordeal.

The Gold Coast City Council has confirmed the incident, with animal management officers attending the scene immediately after being notified.

“The city was notified of an alleged dog attack involving a child about 8.30pm last night,” a council spokesperson said in a statement to Starts at 60.

“Animal management officers responded immediately and attended the Helensvale address.”

They added: “A dog was surrendered to officers at the time and will be euthanised at the request of the owner.”

Speaking to media on Friday afternoon a Queensland Ambulance spokesman issued a warning to families to beware of their dogs around children.

“It’s a timely reminder that we need to think about safety around the home with our pets,” he said in the press conference. “Kids are the most vulnerable. If you’ve got pets, in particular dogs, you need to make sure you think about safety.

He added: “You can’t trust the family pet, there is a risk they may bite smaller children. Please keep that in mind.”

The baby wasn’t the only one to be attacked by a dog in the sunshine state this week, with Queensland Ambulance confirming a total of six dog attacks throughout South East Queensland since yesterday.

Two women suffered significant leg injuries after being attacked in the north Brisbane suburb of Petrie on Thursday night around 9pm.

A teenage girl and a woman in her 30s were transported to the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital by emergency services in stable conditions after the incident.

The spate of shocking attacks comes after a 72-year-old was rushed to hospital earlier this year with life threatening injuries after being mauled by a dog in South Australia.

Read more: Man, 72, fighting for life in hospital after horrific dog attack

He had been at a friend’s home at the time when he is believed to have fallen. It’s then that police say the dog attacked him and left him with life threatening injuries to his face and neck.

The man was immediately airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital and underwent surgery, but his injuries were considered life threatening. Nine News reported at the time that the dog was a bull mastiff. 

Just weeks before, a baby girl was reportedly rushed to hospital with facial injuries after being mauled by a greyhound.

According to 9 News, the youngster was attacked at a family home in Cranbourne West, Melbourne. The girl suffered bites to her upper body, including her neck, cheek and shoulder.

She was later confirmed to be in a stable condition. Another woman was also injured and taken to the hospital in a non-life threatening condition.

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