A Christchurch father and his teenage son were hospitalized Saturday afternoon following a violent dog attack described by a friend of the dogs’ owner as a “bloodbath.” The incident occurred whereas the pair were visiting a friend in Bryndwr.
Details of the Attack
The boy, in his early teens, was initially attacked by two American Bulldog cross dogs. His father suffered critical injuries while attempting to protect his son. The dogs’ owner also sustained minor injuries during the attack.
According to a friend of the owner, the attack appeared to come without warning. She stated, “I know what the risk factors are and these dogs don’t fit the description, they really don’t.” She emphasized that the owner is responsible and the dogs are not inherently aggressive, describing the event as “just a really, really horrible event.”
The friend explained that after the dogs began barking at the boy, both his father and the owner rushed to intervene. She noted that yelling at the dogs may have inadvertently escalated the situation. The father sustained significant injuries while shielding his son, with bites concentrated on his legs.
Legal and Owner Response
Police have summoned a 40-year-old woman to court under the Dog Control Act in connection with the attack. The dogs have been impounded pending the outcome of the police investigation.
The dogs’ owner is reportedly “devastated” by the incident. A friend of the owner relayed that she had apologized to the boy’s father, who responded by saying, “what are you sorry for? This isn’t your fault.” The owner is preparing for the possibility of surrendering the dogs for euthanasia, acknowledging the low likelihood of being allowed to keep them.
The friend also revealed that the dogs were pepper-sprayed by police during a search of a neighboring property a few months prior, and had been “more reactive” since that incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries did the father and son sustain?
The boy sustained serious injuries, while his father suffered critical injuries attempting to protect him. The father’s injuries included bites to the legs, and a vein was nicked causing significant blood loss.
What is the current status of the dogs?
The dogs have been impounded by authorities pending the ongoing police investigation.
What could happen next regarding the dogs’ fate?
The owner may voluntarily surrender the dogs for euthanasia, or the court could order their destruction unless the owner can demonstrate exceptional circumstances as to why they should not be destroyed.
As the investigation continues, the community is left to consider the unpredictable nature of such events and the difficult decisions facing the dogs’ owner.
