Toddler rushed to hospital after dog mauling

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos SEPTEMBER 6, 2022. Ambulance and Paramedics are seen at Melbourne's Royal Melbourne Hospital., Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui
Toddler suffers ‘serious lower body injuries’ in dog mauling incident. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

A toddler has been rushed to hospital after he was mauled by a neighbour’s dog in the regional Victorian city of Ballarat.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at Winter Valley, a western suburb of the town, about 4.40pm after reports a child had been injured.

The toddler had been in the backyard of his home when he was attacked by the dog, believed to have come from “a neighbouring property”, a Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed the child suffered “serious lower body injuries” in the attack.

The toddler has since been flown to The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne in a stable condition.

Officials from the local council, the City of Ballarat, have since seized the dog, the breed of which is not yet known.

It is understood the dogs did not belong to the boy’s family.

The council has been contacted for comment.