8-year-old in stable condition after dog attack

An 8-year-old boy is in stable condition after he was attacked by a stray dog this morning in the area of Agios Ioannis in Limassol.

According to police information, there were 2 stray Rottweilers roaming the area at the time of the incident.  A neighbor, who rushed out of his home after hearing the boy's screams, saw one of the dogs attacking the young boy causing injuries to his head.  The neighbor managed to pull the boy to safety while the dog in question ran off.

Members of the TAE Limassol rushed to the area, where they located one of the two dogs present at the time of the incident, while the dog that attacked the minor remains at large.

The 8-year-old boy has been transferred to Makarios Hospital and will undergo surgery this afternoon, according to pediatric surgeon Christos Minas.  He is in stable condition.

Police are asking for help in locating the dog and are urging citizens not to approach the dog and to be cautious.  The dog has been described as possibly a Rottweiler breed, brown and black in color.

Reports indicated that the dogs in question were walking around on their own for the past few days.

In a press release, the Animal Party of Cyprus stated that "the dog cannot be blamed or victimized for the attack.  The guardian/owner bears full responsibility and justice should be carried out immediately and responsibilities should be given when and where they apply".

The statement continues, "the situation is out of control and everyone does what they want because they simply do not feel the presence of the authorities who bear great responsibility for what is happening around us.  Legislation exists, but these will not be implemented by themselves if citizens and the government do not work together to fight every illegality".

The Animal Party is calling on the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Agriculture to immediately convene a meeting with the relevant departments to coordinate and find immediate solutions to this unacceptable incident.