AN 11-year-old boy in the Micronesian Nukunao community just outside of Gizo, the Western Provincial Capital was attacked by a dog whilst playing with his friends.
Nukunao Community is situated in the new Titiana Village.
This latest dog attack which occurred last Saturday further compounded existing grave concerns about public safety from stray dogs following the death of a mentally retarded man. The man died at the Gizo Hospital after he was attacked by a pack of stray dogs earlier this month.
According to eyewitness reports, the child, whose name was withheld for privacy reasons, was playing with his friends when a dog pounced on him.
The incident occurred at around 2.30 pm.
The dog, reportedly ‘a local breed of high built’, suddenly turned aggressive and lunged at the boy, biting his legs and hands.
Community members rushed to the scene upon hearing the boy’s cries for help.
With swift action, they managed to rescue the boy from the jaws of the dog and immediately transported him to Gizo Hospital where he received prompt treatment for his injuries.
Fortunately, medical assessments revealed that the dog bites did not cause any life-threatening wounds and the boy was discharged a day later – on Sunday afternoon.
The Gizo Medical staff attributed the quick recovery of the child to the timely intervention of villagers at the dog attack scene and the medical team who attended promptly to the child upon arrival at the hospital.
Speaking to Solomon Star Gizo yesterday, the mother, Lelei said she was in Gizo Town when she heard the news of her son’s attack by a dog.
“I quickly ran back to the village and we managed to transport him over the Gizo Hospital Emergency Unit,” she said.
Lelei then urged the Gizo Town Council (GTC) to quickly do something about the issue of high stray population and the security threats they pose to people on Gizo island.
“Please, Gizo Town Council quickly do something, address this issue before any more is wounded or another life is taken away.”
Following the incident, community members expressed their shock and concern over the issue.
Local authorities are urging pet dog owners to look after their dogs.
Meanwhile as the young victim recovers from his wounds, the incident will undoubtedly leave him with an emotional trauma that will take time to get over and emphasise the need for urgent action by GTC and the Dogs Working Committee to be swift in addressing the high stray dog population in Gizo.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
