Child seriously hurt in Aranui dog attack, dog seized by council

What happened

A child is in Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition after being attacked by a dog in the Christchurch suburb of Aranui on Tuesday.

Hato Hone St John says it was called to an address on Breezes Rd at 11.56am. A rapid response unit and an ambulance attended, and one patient was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Senior Sergeant Hamish Keer-Keer said police were told of the incident at around midday. He said a child had been taken to hospital with serious injuries following an incident involving a dog. Police remain at the scene.

Christchurch City Council Animal Management has seized a six-year-old staffordshire bull terrier cross. A council spokesperson said an investigation will be carried out and the council cannot comment further.

The incident happened a couple of streets from another dog attack in Aranui last month.

Key facts

• A child has serious injuries after a dog attack on Breezes Rd, Aranui, Christchurch, on Tuesday.
• St John was called at 11.56am and took one patient to Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition.
• Police were told at around midday and remain at the scene.
• Christchurch City Council Animal Management has seized a six-year-old staffordshire bull terrier cross.
• The council says it will investigate and cannot comment further.

What you need to know

• Police remain at the Breezes Rd scene, so expect a police presence in the area.

What happens next

Christchurch City Council Animal Management says it will investigate. Police remain at the scene.

Still to be confirmed

• The child's age and the full extent of their injuries have not been released.
• How the attack happened and whose dog it was have not been confirmed.
• What will happen to the seized dog has not been stated.
• Whether the child's condition has changed since arriving at hospital is unknown.