Bite sparks dog battle
A DOG attack on a four- year- old boy has left his mother and grandmother demanding Mackay Regional Council take action.
Jaxson Reddacliff was bitten on the face by his aunt’s labrador at her Mount Pleasant home, near Mackay. Police said they were called to the Knight St address on that day but no further action was required.
Jaxson’s mother Rhianna Lund and her mother Donnalee Lund are demanding Mackay Regional Council put down the dog.
“I want to see the dog destroyed, and I’m a dog lover,” Donnalee said.
Jaxson’s aunt Melinda Reddacliff said she was with Jaxson and her family’s dog Halo in her yard when the incident occurred.
She said Jaxson was playing with the dog, pulling at its ears and trying to ride Halo when the dog bit him. Ms Reddacliff said her dog had an ear infection at the time.
She said this was the first time Halo had ever acted aggressively.
Jaxson needed stitches near his eye, on his cheek and in his lip.
Rhiannon and Donnalee drove from their homes in Cardwell to Mackay to be with Jaxson in hospital after being told of the attack.
“It was the longest drive of my life, because I wanted to be here with him,” Rhiannon said.
Ms Reddacliff was meanwhile fighting to keep her dog alive. While she was upset at her dog for biting her nephew, she didn’t want to see Halo put down. She said the dog was loved by her family.
Mackay Regional Council health and regulatory manager Craig Shepherd said after an in- depth investi- gation Halo would not be put down, or even declared dangerous.
“In making this consideration, the history of the dog was considered, as was the circumstances around the incident,” he said.
He warned that owners should be careful around children, especially when pets are sleeping, feeding, or recovering from illness or injury.
“Keeping your dog confined and under effective control will greatly lessen the risks to others and the community,” Mr Shepherd said.
It is understood putting down dogs is generally considered a last resort by the council. Often dogs will be declared as dangerous and owners will be given strict conditions, including muzzling the dogs in public places, displaying signs, registering the dog with the council and making efforts to make sure the dog does not escape.