Attack a warning to dog owners

A dog attack in which a 3-year-old who was bitten in the throat by a family pet yesterday serves as a warning to other dog owners, says an animal expert.

The Ashburton boy remains in a critical condition in Christchurch Hospital after he was bitten by the dog while in a relative's lounge in King St at about 12.20pm.

It is understood the dog, a 5-year-old Doberman-Staffordshire bull terrier cross belonging to a family member, lunged at the boy's throat as he was eating a chocolate.

Family members intervened after hearing the dog make an unusual noise.

The boy was given first aid at the scene and was then taken to Ashburton Hospital, before being flown to Christchurch Hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

People at the house where the incident happened were too upset to speak but said the victim was "OK''.

The breed of dog does not come under any dangerous breed category.

However, president of the Institute of Animal Control Officers Les Dalton told Newstalk ZB today that the incident raised questions about the breed and highlighted the need for people to train and socialise their pets.

"Dogs that haven't been socialised around young children, particularly people visiting another dog - there's always a high risk.

"I think there needs to be more knowledge and dogs need to be more social, and you have to be very careful about what breed you do choose.''

The animal was put down yesterday at the owner's request.

The council's regulatory manager Richard Wade said the dog was a family pet with no history of aggression. It had been registered since 2006, was microchipped and not come to the attention of dog control officials before.

"There is nothing about the dog that we are aware of that would have alerted us to the potential for an attack of this sort,' said Mr Wade.

"This is a real tragedy and our thoughts go out to the family,'' said Mr Wade.

The co-operation of the family had made the process straightforward.

"The action by the family is certainly appreciated as it enables us to address the issue quickly,'' Mr Wade said.

Yesterday's case is currently with the police so Mr Wade said it was too early to say whether the dog's owner would be prosecuted.

Victim Support is assisting the family.

- APNZ/Ashburton Guardian