Toddler injured in ‘split second’ dog attack

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It took just a ‘‘split-second’’ for a family dog to snap and split a Canterbury toddler’s cheek ‘‘like a can opener’’, a family member says.

Port Levy resident Susan Hamilton said her 2-year-old grandson, Leo Hamilton, was sitting on the floor next to his father’s 6-year-old jack russell, Biggy, in her Pa Rd home when the ‘‘out of the blue’’ attack happened about 8pm on Tuesday.

‘‘Just out of nowhere the dog just lunged at his face and ripped open his whole cheek like a can opener,’’ she said. ‘‘It peeled him from his [right] eye to his lip, it looked like it [the dog] had slipped a butchers knife down his cheek. It was terrible.’’

A rescue helicopter crew was sent to the house and flew Leo to Christchurch Hospital about 9pm.

Hamilton said Leo was left with a cut down his face that was about 3 centimetres deep and 10cm long.

He underwent surgery and was expected to return home yesterday evening.

‘‘[The doctors] seem quite happy with the results and he’s back up trooping on, ready to come back home,’’ she said.

‘‘He’s super brave. He is my wee Hulk.’’

Hamilton said Biggy, who had been ‘‘a good dog’’ up until the attack, had been taken away to be euthanised.

She would never allow a dog in her house with a child again, she said.

‘‘I just can’t believe it. You can be right there but you can’t take it all away and what happens in a second can [affect him] the rest of his life.’’

She commended emergency services for their help during the ‘‘terrible’’ ordeal.

‘‘The helicopter

team

were amazing, what an incredible group ... they’re something to be really proud of.’’

A Christchurch City Council spokesman confirmed the incident had been reported to the council and its animal management team was investigating.

‘‘We cannot comment further at this time as the matter is under investigation,’’ he said.

Last year, 2-year-old AmeliaJayne Johnson was attacked by a dog outside her Christchurch house.

She suffered a broken tooth and deep cuts around her left eye, nose, mouth and cheek.

‘‘Just out of nowhere the dog just lunged at his face and ripped open his whole cheek like a can opener.’’ Grandmother Susan Hamilton