Police continue to investigate a tragic dog attack that resulted in the death of a four-year-old boy in the Bay of Plenty.
The young boy, identified online as Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan, was fatally attacked near Katikati on Friday.
“One individual was rushed to Katikati Medical Centre in critical condition, but sadly passed away shortly after,” the police stated.
Another person sustained moderate injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Alison Curtis, General Manager Regulatory Services at Western Bay of Plenty District Council, mentioned that the Animal Services team was summoned by the police to remove three dogs from the property involved in the incident.
“These dogs have been safely relocated to the Te Puke Animal Shelter,” Curtis confirmed.
The owner voluntarily surrendered custody of the dogs to the council, according to Curtis.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our thoughts are with the family who are enduring an unimaginable loss,” Curtis expressed.
Mayor James Denyer of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council also extended his condolences, describing the event as a tragic occurrence and expressing sympathy for the boy’s family.
Meanwhile, the family of Rolleston-Bryan shared their devastation and disbelief on social media following his passing.
In their post, they described the young boy as having “a little mischief in his smile” and “a heart full of cuteness.”
Dog Safe Workplace highlighted a concerning rise in reported dog incidents, with 29,233 cases reported to ACC last year, marking a 46 percent increase since 2015.
Founder and director Jo Clough emphasized that the actual number of dog bites was likely higher, as less than 20 percent of incidents were reported.
As Dog Bite Prevention Week approaches, Clough stressed the importance of dog safety education in reducing dog-related harm.
“We need to focus on educating children, parents, and dog owners to prevent these incidents,” Clough urged.
She advised never leaving young children unsupervised with a dog and emphasized the importance of proper training and socialization for dogs.
Clough also advocated for the implementation of a mandatory dog bite reporting system to gain a clearer understanding of the prevalence of dog bite incidents.
