Three days, three vicious dog attacks leave three kids, man and woman in hospital
Three children have been injured after being attacked by dogs in separate incidents across Queensland, prompting the Palaszczuk Government to flag a crackdown on owners of dangerous dogs.
Dog attack victim Laquarna Chapman Palmer was the first person injured in a space of dog attacks this week. (Image: Supplied)
Two children and a woman were injured in animal attacks across the state on Wednesday in a spate of serious attacks, the Queensland Ambulance Service said.
Paramedics were called after a male child suffered a head injury after being bitten by a dog at Shailer Park, south of Brisbane, about 8.40pm.
The boy was taken to Logan Hospital for treatment.
The incident followed an attack on a three-year-old girl at Yatala on the Gold Coast about 5.20pm.
Several dogs were seized after the attack, which involved the toddler being bitten on the neck and head.
Paramedics transported the girl to the Queensland Children’s Hospital in a serious condition.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has ordered a dangerous dog task force to urgently reconvene, saying she wants action by the end of the month.
She said she was extremely concerned by the events this week.
“We are seeing more dog attacks,” she said.
Palaszczuk said holding owners criminally responsible for the actions of their animals would be considered.
“Yes, we need to look at that,” she said.
Dog owners currently face maximum potential fines of up to $45,000, and the premier said owners must be responsible for their pets.
“If you’re the owner of a dog, you have a duty of care and responsibility to make sure that that dog does not cause any injury or detriment to anyone else,” she said.
“That is an owner’s responsibility, and I just think we need to step up the responsibility.”
A task force created in 2021 to strengthen laws related to dangerous dogs, and overseen by agriculture minister Mark Furner, will urgently investigate.
“They meet on a regular basis and I’ve asked the minister to personally chair and reconvene this working group urgently next week,” Palaszczuk said.
“I want action taken before the end of this month.”
In the state’s north, a woman was also bitten on the leg near Townsville and taken to hospital in a stable condition.
On Monday, six-year-old Luquaqrna Chapman Palmer suffered chest and abdominal injuries when she was mauled by two dogs in the southern Brisbane suburb of Woodridge.
A family member, Reece Chapman, intervened after the girl was pulled from a fence by the dogs was also injured in the attack.
