Crossbreed dog that killed Christchurch boy was not known to council
A one-year-old boy was killed in a dog attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, involving a crossbreed dog that was not previously known to local authorities. The community has since raised funds to support the grieving parents.
Why it matters
The incident has sparked local discussions regarding dog safety regulations and the responsibilities of pet owners in residential areas.
A dog that attacked and killed a one-year-old boy at a Christchurch home was a crossbreed that had not previously come to the city council's attention.
A Givealittle page has raised more than $40,000 for the parents of Sonny-Charles Watson, who was attacked at the Aranui property on 14 August .
Emergency services were called to a report of a child sustaining serious dog bite injuries on Basingstoke Street.
They were found in a critical condition and died at the scene, despite the efforts of first responders and a member of the household, police said.
Police said the dog, which lived at the family home, had been removed from the property and officers were working with animal control.
Christchurch City Council said the dog was a crossbreed.
Head of regulatory compliance Tracey Weston said it was being held at an animal shelter pending the outcome of the police investigation.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in