In a shocking incident that has left the community reeling, a six-year-old girl named Laquarna Chapman Palmer was brutally attacked by two bullmastiff dogs while playing on a fence in Woodridge, south of Brisbane. The little girl is currently undergoing critical medical treatment for the severe injuries she sustained to her abdomen and chest at Queensland Children’s Hospital.
According to reports, one of the neighbor’s dogs launched itself at her, dragging her over the fence and exposing her to the vicious assault by the two canines. The girl’s uncle, Reece Chapman, who heard her screams, rushed to her aid and suffered injuries himself in the process.
The Logan City Council has taken custody of the unregistered dogs, and they are scheduled to be euthanized today. Mr. Chapman, who bravely tried to fend off the animals, had to receive 10 stitches in his legs and is still using crutches.
Recounting the traumatic incident, Mr. Chapman told 7News, “I believed she was gone. I jumped the fence to aid my mother after hearing her cry in agony. One of the dogs was about to bite her in the face. I launched a chair at the canine. I attempted throwing her over the fence, but I got attacked by the dogs in the end.”
The family has stayed by the little girl’s side in the hospital, with her mother reporting that she is “doing okay.” The family holds no ill-will towards the neighbors, describing them as “lovely” people.
Reacting to the appalling incident, Regional Acting Deputy Commission Mark Wheeler stated, “This is absolutely awful, and we are investigating it. Our thoughts are with the little girl, her family, and the friends, and we wish her a rapid recovery.”
The horrific nature of the incident has left the community in a state of shock, and the well-being of the little girl is at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
