Boy attacked by dogs in serious condition (update 2)

An eight-year-old boy is intubated at the Makarios children’s hospital and will undergo surgery doctors said on Tuesday after he was attacked by dogs in Ayios Ioannis, Limassol.

Initial reports indicate that the young boy may have been attacked by up to three to four dogs while playing in nearby fields with his brother at about 8am, with locals calling an ambulance soon after.

One person heard shouts and cries as the attack happened and rushed to the scene, scaring away the dog and providing first aid.

The child was first taken to Limassol general hospital but due to the severity of his condition, having suffered head injuries, he was transferred to the Makarios hospital in Nicosia.

Doctors there said his condition was now stable but he would need up to three operations.

Limassol police officers and municipality officials have so far identified one dog – a rottweiler – while efforts are under way to locate the other dogs.

The dog which has been inspected does not have a microchip, according to police sources, and is now being held by municipality officials.

Police spokesman Christos Andreou told Sigma that police officers identified two rottweilers at the site but one ran away, with officers believing that the one which escaped may be the dog involved in the attack.

Andreou warned that the dog is on the loose and may attack again, as he urged members of the public to be cautious and alert the authorities should they spot any wild dogs in the area.

The incident occurred near the child’s home.

The Animal Party said that the attack is yet another incident stemming from the government’s inaction to enforce the law.

“The situation is out of control and everyone just does whatever they want because they simply do not feel the presence of the authorities, who bear a major responsibility for what is happening around us,” the party said.