Annalyse Blyton, 17, is in a critical condition in hospital after a friend’s dog left her with face, neck and back injuries as she attempted to leave the property
A 17-year-old girl is fighting for her life after a friend’s dog launched at her.
Terrified bystanders attempted to pull the animal off Annalyse Blyton after it attacked her outside the home in Singleton, Australia. The teenager remains in a critical condition in hospital after the large, mixed-breed dog sunk its teeth into her.
She was about to leave the property after studying with a friend. As she attempted to leave, the dog mauled her. Emergency services rushed to the scene as people jumped into to remove the animal from her. She suffered serious injuries to her face, neck and back, police confirmed.
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She was airlifted to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital where she remains in a critical condition. Annalyse’s mother Lauren has spoken of her shock at the attack, and the emotional parent pleaded with her daughter to “keep fighting” – saying she has so much “love and support.”
Acting Hunter Valley Police Commander Justin Cornes said things could have been different if locals didn’t react. “Passers-by were first on scene. Certainly running into a scene which they didn’t know the full circumstances and to jump in there and remove the dog, which was at the time obviously very aggressive.
“They provided basic first-aid before the ambulance arrived, trying to stem some bleeding and keep the wounds covered. Police used a service weapon to euthanise the dog to allow emergency services to continue that treatment. Speaking to the owners, [they said] that the dog’s actions on the day were out of character.”
Singleton Mayor Sue Moore told ABC her community was “reeling” from the attack. She also praised those who helped and said: “I absolutely feel for all those involved, the emergency services and police, council rangers and everyone that’s been helpful in this terrible situation.
“It’s hard to imagine what you do in that sort of situation yourself, but obviously the bystanders did a great job in what they could do,” she said. “It’s just a terrible situation all around for people involved.”
This comes after an eight-year-old boy tragically died after being attacked by his family dog. The horror incident happened on August 26.
Police said the boy’s teenage sister was watching him when the attack happened. Police rushed to the home on Berryman Avenue, where officers found the boy unconscious, with apparent bite wounds to his neck.
A statement on the Danville Police Department Facebook page reads: “The Danville Police Department is investigating after an 8-year-old male died from injuries suffered from an attack by the family dog.
“On Tuesday, August 26 just after 8pm officers responded to the 700 block of Berryman Avenue where the child was found unresponsive inside of a residence with apparent signs of trauma to his neck consistent with an animal bite.
“At the time of the attack, the 8-year-old was in the care of his teenage sister. According to the family, the dog was not previously known to be aggressive.
“The four-year-old dog was located inside the house and was seized and transported to the Danville Area Humane Society This incident remains under investigation.”