A 17-year-old schoolgirl has died after being attacked by a friend's pet dog in New South Wales, Australia. Annalyse Blyton suffered critical injuries to her head, neck and body when the 10-year-old mixed-breed dog turned on her while she was studying at her friend's home.
Emergency services were called to the scene and bystanders intervened to remove the animal. Despite being flown to hospital, Annalyse passed away on Monday September 8. The dog, described as a mix of boxer, bull Arab and Irish wolfhound, was later shot dead by police with the owner's consent.
Acting Superintendent Justin Cornes said emergency services faced a “confronting” scene, adding: “Without the quick actions of the bystanders, this incident could have been much, much worse.” Annalyse's mother thanked emergency responders for their efforts as her daughter fought for life in hospital.
The Department for Education expressed deep sadness, while Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig called it a “horrific incident”. The tragedy comes as figures show dog attacks are on the rise in England and Wales, with cases doubling in five areas since 2019 and an average of 87 offences recorded per day in 2024.
