Family dog destroyed after biting toddler in throat

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Wed, 18 Jan 2012 5:20p.m. 9:34PM

The boy was taken to Ashburton Hospital before being flown to Christchurch Hospital

The boy was taken to Ashburton Hospital before being flown to Christchurch Hospital

The doberman Staffordshire cross dog that bit an Ashburton toddler in the throat, leaving him in a critical condition, has been destroyed.

Police say the dog was trying to get at chocolate the three-year-old boy was eating when it attacked him around 12.20pm at a home on King Street.

The boy, who suffered serious injuries, was taken to Ashburton Hospital before being flown to Christchurch Hospital.

Ashburton District Council regulatory manager Richard Wade says the dog was impounded by the council.

The dog, owned by a family member of the toddler, was put down this afternoon at the owner's request, says Mr Wade.

The dog was microchipped and had been registered with the council since 2006.

Mr Wade said the dog had not come to the council's attention prior to this incident.

NZN

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Comments

25 Jan 2012 07:02p.m.

Bossy wrote:

Yes i do and i've known the owners for nearly 8years and the dog since it was a pup was never violent towards anyone the dog was all brak like most who comment on things they know nothing about and the boy has been around the dog his whole life all i was pointing out that it was a unfortunate accident and it could happen to the most placid of dogs, man and woman.

19 Jan 2012 02:09a.m.

David wrote:

Any dog whose breed was designed for bloodsports such as bullbaiting should be banned and eradicated. Full stop.

19 Jan 2012 12:57a.m.

Rachel wrote:

The use of the word "destroyed" never fails to irritate me. You destroy an object, not a living creature. Sad story and I hope the little boy recovers.

18 Jan 2012 11:42p.m.

Pete wrote:

Hmmmm. Bossy must hang out with some choice humans. Probably the same ones that let Rottweilers play with their kids.

18 Jan 2012 07:07p.m.

Bossy wrote:

even with all the right training a dog can still snap unexpected that is just the nature of all animals, that dog was well behaved and its owns great people this was a unfortunate situation. even the nice human has the tenancies to suddenly attack.

18 Jan 2012 05:54p.m.

Jenny wrote:

Most people are incredibly irresponsible dog owners. It astounds me how adults allow their "family pets" to interact without proper supervison around their own, and other people's children. Dogs are pack animals who need to be trained properly and treated like dogs, not like children. All dogs can be unpredictable. I can't stand people who don't have proper control over their dogs, yet still allow them off the lead both around home and in public places, like parks, where there are always children around. I have a pedigree Rottweiller puppy who comes from a long line of Rottys with excellent temperaments, but you wouldn't catch my kids and their friends playing tag unsupervised with him in the backyard! I hope the little boy is OK.