Parents mourn toddler killed in Aranui dog attack

Sunday 16 August 2026 · 5 outlets · 3 reports · updated Sun 16 Aug, 12:26pm

The parents of one-year-old Sonny-Charles Watson have shared tributes following his death after a dog attack in Aranui on Friday afternoon. Emergency services attended a Basingstoke Street property at approximately 4.45pm. The local jiu-jitsu community and others have begun rallying to support the family.

How they headlined it

9:44am11:30am

1. StuffSun 16 Aug, 9:44am

   ‘We lost our wee sunshine’: Parents mourn toddler killed in dog attack (opens in new tab)

2. Waikato Times via The PressSun 16 Aug, 11:30am

   Community rallies around family of one-year-old who died after a Christchurch dog attack (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab), The Post (opens in new tab)

3. 1NewsSun 16 Aug, 12:26pm

   'Fly high sunshine': Parents mourn baby boy killed in dog attack (opens in new tab)