Child seriously injured in Christchurch dog attack

A child has been taken to Christchurch Public Hospital in a serious condition following a dog attack in Aranui. St John responded with an ambulance and a rapid response unit.

Christchurch City Council Animal Management has seized a six-year-old staffordshire bull terrier cross. The council stated, “We will be undertaking an investigation so cannot comment further”. Senior Sergeant Hamish Keer-Keer confirmed that animal management was notified and police remained at the scene.

A passerby reported hearing “yelling and screaming” from a property and observed a man “smacking a dog with a bit of wood”. This incident occurred a few streets away from a fatal attack in August.

On 14 August, one-year-old Sonny-Charles Watson died at a Basingstoke St home in Aranui after being bitten by a dog. The dog involved lived at the residence and was later euthanised. Police confirmed that no criminal charges will be laid regarding that death.

How it developed

• Tue 29 Sep, 3:14pmReport 4 notes that first responders and a household member attempted to save Sonny-Charles Watson before he died at the scene.

Where reports differ

• Reports vary slightly on the exact timing of the police call, ranging from 11.56am to just after midday.

Compiled from reports by 1News, Stuff, NZ Herald and The Press.