Oenpelli Police were forced to destroy a dog in the early hours of this morning following an attack on a 3-year-old child. A number of residents at the Community informed the Police of the attack while the child was being treated in the local clinic. It is understood the young child went to cuddle the dog, an Arabian Mastiff, when the dog made the attack, grabbing the child's head and forcing him to the ground before witnesses quickly intervened. The child received a laceration below the left eye and a punctured lower lip as a result of the attack. Acting Brevet Sergeant Benjamin Higgins said it was luck and quick actions by witnesses which prevented this attack from being more serious. "If this huge dogs teeth had been slightly higher on the boys face, he would be spending the rest of his life with one eye. "And fortunately there were people around to get the dog off him and prevent the attack from going on any longer. Who knows when the dog would have stopped otherwise. "Although this particular dog hasn't come to our attention before, one attack like this is one too many. There is no place for an animal capable of such an attack in our community. "Following consultation with the dog's owner, it was agreed the animal would be euthanised. "The dog then turned on Police further demonstrating its aggression and forcing the immediate destruction using a rifle. No Police or other persons were injured during the incident." A/Brevet Sergeant Higgins concluded. Media Contact: Katie Fowden 8901 0281