Mum's 'split-second decision' before toddler was fatally mauled by dogs

A family member of the toddler who was mauled to death by two dogs on Tuesday has revealed tragic details about the moments leading up to the brutal attack.

Two-year-old Jyedon Pollard was attacked by the rottweiler and cattle dog at the Country Gardens Motor in Cowra, NSW, at around 10.30am with his mother Kesha Pollard and his sisters close by.

The boy's uncle reportedly claimed his sister, Jyedon's mum, left for a 'split second' to get her son a drink and in that moment the dogs burst out of the gate before latching on to the boy. But police confirmed there were no direct witnesses or CCTV footage, so it's difficult to determine how the incident unfolded, with investigations continuing into how the attack occurred.

The family were staying temporarily at the motel until they found suitable housing and the dogs, which belonged to the motel's owner, were reportedly kept next to the family's room in a fenced enclosure. It's since been revealed the motel owner found the boy and rushed him to hospital with his mother.

Police are investigating whether the dogs escaped or if the boy somehow crossed paths with the animals. Ms Pollard's brother Robert, who was at the hospital with his sister on Tuesday, shared his theory as to what he believed happened.

"Jyedon was riding his scooter out the front of their room and Kesha went inside to get him a drink," her told Daily Mail Australia. "In that split second the dogs have either jumped over the gate or run out after it was left open, and attacked Jyedon."

Toddler's fatal injuries

It's believed Jyedon and his sisters had been playing with the dogs during their stay. Police were investigating claims the toddler was playing with the animals when they attacked. The two-year-old suffered serious injuries to his face and neck and was taken to Cowra Hospital in a critical condition. He was later airlifted to Westmead Hospital in Sydney where he died on Tuesday afternoon.

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Chifley Police Superintendent Bob Noble said it would have been a "horrific situation" to be confronted by but said the motel owner acted "very bravely and very concisely", Nine News reported. He confirmed the dogs were not roaming free and were secured in a yard, Seven News reported.

Neighbours heard screaming

Neighbours did not witness the incident — which took place at the back of the motel — but they could hear the screams, some say. One said she cannot forget Jyedon’s gut-wrenching cries."I just heard screaming and just the type of scream was one that you couldn’t ignore," she told Seven News. Another said she "saw the kids screaming". "I looked out the window across the road and I saw some guy carrying a little kid who was absolutely screaming and people were panicked," she told Nine News.

Friends and family have shared touching tributes on Ms Pollard's Facebook page on a photo of Jyedon as a baby."Thinking of you and your family," one wrote. "Thinking of u and the girls hun," said another. A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help support Jyedon's family.

According to reports, the dogs were seized by the local council and have since been put down.

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