A terrier who ripped off the ear of a Melbourne toddler is unlikely to be put down as the dog has no prior history of attacks.
Two-year-old Zane Knight was in the front garden of his grandmother’s house in Maryborough, central Victoria, when he was mauled by her Jack Russell cross.
The toddler’s mother Jamie Maclean was just metres away when the minute-long attack happened, but admits the dog was merciless towards Zane.
Two-year-old Zane Knight was mauled by his grandmother’s Jack Russell cross as he played in her front garden in Central Victoria
‘He turned on him and he nearly mauled him to death,’ she told Seven News.
Zane’s injuries included bites around his eye as well as a mauled ear that required him to be rushed the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
Four-hour long surgery where doctors managed to reattach the ear followed, but the little boy developed fluid in his lungs after the operation.
Despite the severity of the attack, the dog who savaged at Zane will not be but down according to the local council.
Central Goldfield Shire said in a statement that they are waiting for independent assessments to identify ‘any temperament and health issues’ before further action is taken.
They also noted the cross had ‘no prior history of attack’.
The toddler was rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital and required four-hour surgery after the attack
But for Zane’s mother, any resolution will come too late for her little boy and anyone else it may interact with.
‘Very upsetting, and very worried about other family members or anyone that could come in contact with the dog,’ she said.
The attack follows a string of similar instances across Australia recently including a similar episode in Newcastle which saw a three-year-old boy’s ear ripped off when he was battered by a Great Dane.
The dog involved was put down following a council investigation.
Despite the severity to which her son was mauled, the local council have yet to confirm whether or not the dog will be put down