Girl hospitalised after Rottweiler attack

AN 11–YEAR-OLD girl from Nicosia was hospitalised yesterday after being seriously injured in a Rottweiler attack.

The youngster, who is being treated at a private clinic, had been accompanying the dog’s owner – a friend of the family – for the pet’s daily walk.

Suddenly and without warning, the dog attacked her, throwing her to the ground and straddling her, causing her to suffer deep head, back, arm and leg injuries.

Despite her wounds, the 11-year-old managed to get up and run to a nearby kiosk, where she asked the owner there to call her mother.

The girl underwent surgery on Sunday night and will remain in hospital for six days until she has fully recovered and received medication.

According to reports, the Rottweiler has since been euthanised.

This is the second such incident in recent days. On Thursday, a Dalmatian attacked a man, seriously injuring his right arm.

Vets have stressed the importance of training such big dogs, to avoid similar attacks.

Veterinary surgeon Andreas Artemiou yesterday said that canines attack people either out of fear or to show off their power.

He added that owners who can’t personally train these pets to display appropriate behaviour should entrust them to the care of professional trainers.

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