Brisbane, Australia

A 34-year-old woman in Australia is fighting for her life after a brutal attack by her dog in North Queensland. The dog bit her arm off during the attack inside a house in the coastal city of Townsville. The emergency services were reportedly called around 7:00 am (local time) on Friday (Oct 11). 

Advertisment

The woman had sustained 'life-threatening' injuries as her right arm below the elbow had been severely injured. However, the detached part was retrieved by the paramedics before she was rushed to a local hospital. The woman is said to be in a serious but stable condition. 

The police had arrived to find the woman bleeding heavily outside the house, and the dog was believed to be a pit bull, said Senior Sgt Scott Warrick during a press conference. He said, "It was very angry, very aggressive... [it] was still trying to get outside."

After arriving at the scene, some officers barricaded the house while others applied a temporary bandage to the woman’s arm to stop bleeding until paramedics arrived. 

Advertisment

Also Read | Hurricane Milton: Florida ‘clearing debris’ as monster storm passes over, 16 dead

Sgt Warrick said, "I've been a police officer for 37 years... this is the first time I've gone to such a serious injury as a result of a dog attack. He added, "The injuries to this lady are just absolutely awful and we wish her a speedy recovery.” 

He also stated that the dog was euthanised on the advice of animal control officers.

Advertisment

"I have dogs, and to see an outcome like this is absolutely heartbreaking, and we do understand people will be upset... but we were left with no other choice," said  Sgt Warrick. A second small dog was found injured at the scene and is being cared for by the RSPCA. 

Two neighbours told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC News) that the dog involved in the incident was known for being aggressive and also mentioned that it had attacked him before.

Sgt Warrick said that police may have been contacted for the dog before, but currently, they are looking into the specifics.

(With inputs from agencies)