Baby’s death mourned by locals
A family’s pet dog has been seized and euthanised after it mauled their five-week-old baby on the NSW Central Coast over the weekend.
Emergency services were called to the Kariong home early on Sunday morning after receiving reports a baby had been attacked by a six-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier.
Officers and paramedics both performed CPR on the baby but were unable to revive him.
The dog, which was desexed and registered, was seized by the Central Coast Council and has since been euthanised.
Speaking to 7NEWS, a Central Coast Council spokesperson said Council Rangers were “asked to assist with removing the six-year-old American Staffy Terrier from the home”.
“Rangers have taken the dog to a vet and it has been euthanised.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this terrible time. The incident remains a police investigation."
The Council confirmed that a report had been lodged against the dog last month, after it mauled a neighbour’s dog that got into the family’s backyard.
“The family was undertaking a breed and temperament assessment at the request of Council.”
Detective Superintendent Darryl Jobson said the incident was “a matter of tragic proportions" but that there were no suspicious circumstances related to the death.
“Our thoughts are certainly with the parents, the family friends and also the first responders involved,” he said.
“Our police did perform first aid upon arrival. They did their best in the circumstances and they are no doubt shaken by the incident.”
In a tribute to the five-week-old baby boy, locals in Kariong have come together to erect a tennis court mural after one woman, Lisa, posted the idea to a Facebook group.
“I only saw it on the news tonight about the tragedy of the Kariong family whose baby died earlier this morning,” she posted on a Facebook group.
“I can’t imagine the pain and grief. I don’t know the family. But I am wondering if anyone has come up with a way to express some love for them in a public place in our community?
“I am planning to weave a big heart in the tennis court fence wire (with strips of scrap fabric) tomorrow at 4pm and take up some candles.
“I know we are in lockdown. I am not suggesting a group gather. I will walk there for my daily exercise. If you would like to add to it please do. I will take responsibility for tidying anything up in a week or so.
“Rest in Peace little one and may we wrap your family in love.”
Alongside the heart, other locals attached bouquets of flowers, handwritten notes, and a teddy bear to the fence.
Image: Kariong Local Community NSW