By Alesha Capone
VICTORIA Police and Melton Shire Council will interview the owner of a dog which attacked a one-year-old baby boy in Burnside last week.
A passer-by intervened preventing the youngster from serious injury on Thursday last week.
Paramedics praised the actions of the man, who rushed to aid the grandmother and her grandson, who was in a pram at the time.
Intensive care paramedic Mathew Singh said the boy suffered scratches to his face and ear, with the man preventing the boy’s injuries from being more severe.
The man put himself in harm’s way when he went to the baby’s aid.
“The dog then turned its attention to the man who had stopped and attacked him but he wasn’t hurt,” Mr Singh said.
“He put the woman and boy into his vehicle as the dog was still circling and threatening to attack.
“The man drove them to a nearby medical centre. His efforts certainly reduced the chance of further attack.
A nearby resident also attempted to intervene but the dog turned on her as well, according to Mr Singh.
“A neighbour who heard the commotion came to assist,” Mr Singh said.
“She suffered minor injuries to the back when she was also attacked. She didn’t need any ambulance treatment and went to her local GP.”
The baby and the woman were then taken to the Sunshine Hospital.
Melton Shire Council’s corporate services general manager, Peter Bean, said a council ranger assisted police officers in securing the dog.
The dog, a bull terrier cross, was taken to the Melton Pound by the ranger.
The dog was registered to a property in Burnside and was micro-chipped.
“Council takes any matters regarding dog attacks very seriously and due processes, including appropriate provisions of the Domestic Animals Act, are being followed by council,” Mr Bean said.
“Council has started its investigation and will work closely with Victoria Police.
“Council and Victoria Police will interview the dog owner and take statements from the victims at the earliest possible opportunity.
The dog will remain in Council custody until the matter is resolved.”
Under the Domestic Animals Act, the council can declare the dog to be a dangerous dog or put in an application to have the dog destroyed.
On the day the boy was attacked, Melton Shire Council said they received a call from a resident at 9.45am, reporting a dog sitting outside a Burnside property.
Mr Bean said a council ranger arrived at around 9.54am and patrolled the street, including all driveways, side streets and along walkways and parklands.
“The ranger also interviewed residents in street and patrolled adjoining streets and grasslands area four times but no dog was sighted,” he said.
“The council ranger patrolled again around 10.30am, but no sign of the reported dog.
“It is not certain that the reported dog is the same dog as the dog involved in the attack.”
