12 May 2016

Baby's dog bite injuries not serious

12:25 pm on 12 May 2016

A baby girl injured in a dog attack in Dunedin received a bite on the face from the family's terrier but the injuries were not serious, police say.

St John ambulance responded to the attack on Cavell Street in Tainui just after 2.30pm yesterday and the infant was taken to Dunedin Hospital.

One neighbour who saw the ambulance arrive said the woman who brought out the baby was "really distressed".

Police have investigated and said the family's Jack Russell Terrier nipped the nine-month-old's face once, and she received a wound below the eye and on the gums, but the injuries were not serious.

Dunedin City Council animal services officer Peter Hanlin said the dog would probably not be termed dangerous and the incident was being treated as an "unfortunate accident".

The council said the dog had had no history of complaints, but the family is having it put down.

The baby is progressing well in Dunedin Hospital's children's ward