Ayen Chol, right, and Ayen’s mother Jackline, left, with relatives. Picture: Nine News
BY NATALIE GALLENTI AND ALESHA CAPONE
TRIBUTES continue to flow for four-year-old Ayen Chol, whose life was tragically cut short when she was mauled to death by a pitbull in the loungeroom of her St Albans home.
Ayen Chol was sitting in her family home last Wednesday night, when a neighbour’s dog entered the Lahy St property and attacked her.
Paramedic team manager Brett Parker said the first crew arrived seven minutes after the Triple-zero call to a find a distressing and chaotic scene.
Mr Parker said paramedics tried to resuscitate Ayen, however she had suffered extensive injuries and died at the scene.
Her death has prompted an outpouring of emotion from family and strangers alike, with the tragedy putting the punishments for owners of dangerous dogs on the state agenda.
Daniel Atem, a cousin of Ayen, said the family was looking for answers after the tragic event, and couldn’t understand why the dog was allowed to roam the streets.
Mr Atem said Ayen’s mother, Jackline, tried desperately to fight the dog off as Ayen clung to her leg.
“She tried, as you know the dog was a very big one, it looked like a lion. It was very hard for her to control the dog,” Mr Atem said.
“For the dog to kill someone is a surprise.”
He recalled the little girl fondly, describing her as a “good girl”, who loved her parents and liked having a chat to anyone and playing with her brother.
“She loved her Mum, she loved her Dad, she loved to talk to anyone. She would talk to aybody,” he said.
Betty Black, director of St Albans Main Road East Early Learning, where Ayen attended kindergarten, said the community needed to band together for the family that only months ago lost its home in a fire.
“They lost everything in the fire, clothes, toys,” Ms Black told Star last week.
“I felt sick when I heard the news.
“Everyone can’t believe it. There are no words to describe it.
“She was here playing all day yesterday, and now she’s gone.”
The centre has set up an account for donations from the community.
“The family has had to start again. They are living with relatives now. I hope we can help as much as we can.”
A five-year-old and 31-year-old were also injured in the unprovoked attack, and taken to Sunshine Hospital.
The two other victims underwent surgery last Thursday and Western Health Associate Professor Trevor Jones said last week they remained in a stable condition.
Speaking after the younger victim was recovering from plastic surgery to her scalp, the director of surgical procedures said both patients suffered “severe lacerations” typical of dog bites and would be left with permanent scars.
“Any dog attack that causes death is as bad as it gets,” Dr Jones said.
He said the five-year-old may need further surgery in the future.
Tributes flowed on Facebook last week, when a page was started by a relative. More than 330 people joined the page in less than 24 hours, displaying an outpouring of emotion with the count up to more than 950 by Friday.
One person said they were “speechless” and couldn’t believe what had happened.
“When I heard this horrific news, I couldn’t even move or say a word… my prayers and thoughts goes to the family… May she R.I.P,” added another follower.
Anyone who would like to make a donation to the family, can visit the Commonwealth Bank in St Albans and site BSB number 063 168 and account number 10812802.
